English

Abstract

Introduction: MotoGP (Moto Grand Prix) is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits over a distance between 100 and 130 kilometers. Despite its worldwide popularity, there are only few studies published in the scientific literature, thus the aim of this paper is to contribute to the discussion about epidemiological data regarding the injuries of MotoGP riders. Material and method: Riders involved in the Moto Grand Prix (MotoGP) World Championships 2019, 2020, and 2021 were studied for time-loss injuries (TLI) by searching the official websites of riders themselves, races, sports newspapers. Results: Twenty-nine riders (age 28.0±4.7 yrs; BMI 21.8±1.2 kg/m2) with 11.8±8.2 yrs of experience in MotoGP and in motor racing championships, participated in the MotoGP World Championships 2019, 2020 and 2021. They reported 26 TLI during races, without difference between race and pre-race practice. TLI prevalence tends to increase linearly as riders participate in more than one subsequent Championship (R2 = 0.998; p<0.001), with a risk of 100% through the entire career. Incidence of TLI was 21.2/1000 hours of race (CI 95%: 9.7-32.8). TLI were classified as contusions (35%), bone fractures (32%), sprains (10%), contussions (10%), compartment syndromes (6%) and reopening of surgical wound (3%). Fractures accounted for 1.5% of the falls in the 2019-2021 championships and for 59% of TLI in career, affecting the upper limb in 62% of cases of fractures. Injuries were due to lowside (46%), collisions (38%), highside (8%), speed wobble (4%) and gust of wind (4%). The median absence from trainings and competitions due to TLI was 18 days (range 1-271). Conclusions: Training sessions and testing are equally occasions for TLI and should be considered for prevention and safety promotion of MotoGP riders