Imaging services at the Paralympic Games London 2012: analysis of demand and distribution of workload

The Application of Medical Imaging on Disabled Athletes in Winter Paralympic Games: A Systematic Review

Purpose: the purpose of this study was to summarize the application and effects of current medical imaging in sports for the disabled, to provide a feasible reference for future imaging medical services and biomechanical modeling for winter Paralympic athletes. Methods: An electronic search was conducted among Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, using the following keywords, “Disability,” “Winter Olympics” and “Medical Imaging.” Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen all identified studies. Of the 374 identified studies, 10 studies were included. Results: Most studies have reported on the application of medical imaging technology in the diagnosis of disability (n =6) and only a few have focused on biomechanical modeling (n = 3) and disability classification (n = 1). However, only 3 studies were involved in winter Paralympic athletes. The results of this study indicate that medical imaging technology can effectively diagnose and prevent the occurrence of injuries in disabled athletes. Conclusion: It is important to use medical imaging to understand the injury mechanism of winter Paralympics athletes and to develop injury prevention strategies. However, only a few studies have focused on the application of medical imaging technology to the winter Paralympic. The results of this study can provide a feasible reference for the medical treatment and training of athletes in the Winter Paralympic Games.

Sports injuries at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: use of diagnostic imaging services

OBJECTIVE

To describe the occurrence of imaging-depicted sports-related injuries (bone, muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries) during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

METHODS

Descriptive data on all imaging examinations by using radiography, ultrasonography (US), and MRI were collected and retrospectively analyzed centrally by five musculoskeletal radiologists according to imaging modality, country of origin of the athletes, type of sport, type of disability, and type and location of injury.

RESULTS

We report 109 injuries in 4378 athletes. A total of 382 radiologic examinations were performed in 261 athletes, including 118 (31%) radiographic, 22 (6%) US, and 242 (63%) MRI examinations. Para athletes from Africa had the highest utilization rate (20.1%, 67 out of 333). Athletes from Europe underwent the most examinations with 29 radiographic, 12 US, and 66 MRI examinations. The highest utilization rate of imaging modalities by sport was among Judo para athletes (16.7%, 22 out of 132). Most injuries were reported in athletics discipline (37.6%, 41 out of 109). Most injuries were also reported among para athletes with visual impairment (40 injuries, 36.7% of all injuries). Bone stress injuries were most common among para athletes with visual impairment (6 out of 7). Para athletes with visual impairment were also more prone to bone stress injuries than traumatic fractures, unlike para athletes with neurologic and musculoskeletal impairments.

CONCLUSIONS

Imaging was used in 6.0% of para athletes. MRI comprised 63% of imaging utilization. Identification of patterns of injuries may help building future prevention programs in elite para athletes.

KEY POINTS

• The highest imaging utilization rates were found among para athletes competing in Judo, sitting volleyball, powerlifting, and football. • Utilization of diagnostic imaging at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games demonstrated similar trends to what was observed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. • Comparison of the rate of imaging-depicted injuries between Olympic and Paralympic athletes is limited due to inherent differences between the two athlete populations and the manner in which injury risk in the Paralympic athlete varies dependent on impairment type, which is not the case for the Olympic athlete.

Prediction model for utilization of complementary and alternative medicine for sports injuries among Korean elite collegiate athletes

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services by Korean elite collegiate athletes and to examine the factors influencing the utilization of CAM, or Korean Medicine (KM).

Methods

Students in Korea National Sport University (KNSU) enrolled and in training during August to December 2017 completed the survey. Data from the survey was analyzed through path analysis.

Results

Students who were training in the Department of Physical Education, KNSU (n = 624, 70% males, mean age 21.3 ± 1.2) participated in this study. 15% of the respondents chose KM clinics for sports injuries, a higher rate than that of the general population, and 44% of KM interventions involved acupuncture. In the path analysis, sports injuries were positive predictors for utilization of medical services and the perception of KM, and KM utilization and the perception of KM were positive predictors of the willingness to receive KM treatments.

Conclusions

The use of KM such as acupuncture was relatively high in elite collegiate athletes. The perception of KM and willingness to receive KM treatments were mediated by previous KM experiences. A higher accessibility towards KM treatments are necessary.

MR Imaging at Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Report of Experience Using State-of-the-Art 3.0-T and 1.5-T Wide-Bore MR Imaging Scanners in High-Performance Athletes

A facility with ultimate imaging technology was established to provide diagnostic care for the athletes during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, two of the world's most prestigious sports events. The Imaging Center featured 3.0-T and 1.5-T wide-bore MRI scanners. High-end, wide-bore 3.0-T and 1.5-T MRI systems with dedicated coils provided high-quality imaging solutions, enabling diagnoses of even minor injuries with the utmost accuracy during the games. This article outlines the authors' experience using 3.0-T and 1.5-T wide-bore MRI during the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the advantages and potential applications of this diagnostic method in sports medicine.