Injuries and illnesses related to dinghy-sailing on hydrofoiling boats

Francesco Feletti,Andrea Aliverti,Matteo Bonato,Eric Brymer

doi:10.1186/s13102-021-00343-8

Abstract

BackgroundHydrofoil technology has changed sailing, significantly increasing its speed and resulting in spectacularity and mass media interest. Although high speed can expose participants to a risk of high-energy trauma, there are no scientific studies related to trauma in dinghies that exploit this technology. Therefore, this study aims primarily to measure the injury rate, and identify the kind and anatomical distribution of most common injuries and secondarily identify the traumatic dynamics most often involved and the main risk factors.MethodsThis descriptive epidemiology study examined data relative to injuries and illnesses suffered by 77 sailors (91% males) from 13 nationalities during three international, gathered through a specifically designed questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of illnesses and overuse injuries during the regatta week were 6.5% and 18.2%, respectively, while the incidence of acute injuries was 16/1000 sailor-hours. Upper limbs, lower limbs and lumbar spine were involved in 34.6%, 26.9% and 15.4% of cases of musculoskeletal injuries, respectively. None of the acute injuries reached the maximal score of severity, while the higher score value was 63/100. Most of the reported illnesses (80%; n = 4) were upper respiratory tract infections with a prevalence in the week of the regatta of 5.2% and an incidence of 0.51/1000 sailor-hours. Environmental factors played a role in 77% of the incidents resulting in acute injuries.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable information for regatta organizers, boat builders, athletes, coaches, and doctors. In addition, it fosters the importance of ergonomics of boats, adequate clothing and specific physical training for injuries and illnesses prevention.

Highlights

Hydrofoil technology has changed sailing, significantly increasing its speed and resulting in spectacularity and mass media interest
The secondary outcome was to determine the traumatic dynamics most often involved and the main risk factors to guide specific recommendations. Study design This descriptive epidemiology study was conducted following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) [11] during three different regattas: 2018 and 2019 Foiling Week editions held in Malcesine (Italy) and the Moth World Championship held in Perth (Australia) in December 2019
Musculoskeletal injuries were mainly distributed to the upper limbs (34.6%; n = 9), followed by lower limbs (26.9; n = 7) and lumbar spine (15.4; n = 4) (See Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Hydrofoil technology has changed sailing, significantly increasing its speed and resulting in spectacularity and mass media interest. High speed can expose participants to a risk of high-energy trauma, there are no scientific studies related to trauma in dinghies that exploit this technology. According to the recent review by Nathason, sailors at risk of acute injuries, overuse injuries, environmental injuries, and sailing-related illnesses [1]. Injury rates at an international 2014 Olympic-class regatta and among elite dinghy racers in New Zealand have been reported as 0.59 per 1000 h and 0.2 injuries per year, respectively; while in dinghies mixed population, injuries were 4.6 per 1000 days of practice [2,3,4]. Most acute injuries are contusions (9–55%) commonly caused by falls and collision with the boat during mismanaged maneuvers [1]. Overuse injuries especially are mainly represented by low back pain (29–45%) and knee

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