Knee contact forces of individuals with osteoarthritis and those with lower limb amputation: A systematic review.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of impairment. Research has shown that individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation (ULLA) are 17 times more likely to develop OA on their sound side limb. Therefore, this review aimed to describe similarities and differences in the biomechanical loading variables of individuals with OA and those with ULLA.

The epidemiology of eye illness in Para athletes in the Winter and Summer settings- a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate eye illnesses in para athletes in the winter and summer settings. A search was conducted using PubMed-Medline, EbscoHost, and Web of Science for full-text original research articles published anytime until November 2022. Studies that reported quantitative data on eye illness in highly active individuals and para athletes, at any level of performance (elite/nonelite/recreational), aged 15-75 yrs were included.

Incidence of injury and illness at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games held in a closed-loop environment: a prospective cohort study of 7332 athlete days.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses sustained during the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, organised in a closed-loop environment to adhere with COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods: Injuries and illnesses from all teams were recorded on a daily basis by team medical staff on a web-based form and by local organising committee medical (polyclinic) facilities and venue medical support. Duplicates recorded on both systems were removed.

Injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a combined analysis of 101 108 athlete days.

Objectives: The relationship between sport-related injuries and Para athlete impairment type has not yet been comprehensively studied. This study aimed to describe injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games, by sex, age, Games period, chronicity and anatomical area.

Methods: A combined analysis of 7222 athletes was conducted comprising 101 108 athlete days, using pooled data.

Evaluating workforce needs: an investigation of healthcare professionals' attitudes, beliefs and preparedness towards the management of Para athlete mental health at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.

Objectives: To examine healthcare professionals (HCPs) attitudes, beliefs and preparedness towards the management of Para athlete mental health during the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. National Paralympic Committee's HCPs (n=857) working at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games were invited to respond to an anonymous online survey regarding the management of Para athlete mental health in their team.

Promotion of Para Athlete Well-being (PROPEL II): A Cross-sectional Study of Sleep in Para Athletes Across Two Nations.

Objective: Limited research exists on the sleep profiles of South African Para athletes. The aims of this study are to describe sleep quality, day-time sleepiness, and chronotype of South African Para athletes and to compare the relationship between sleep-related outcomes and demographic factors to athletes from a higher-resource country.

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Evaluating workforce well-being: an investigation of healthcare professionals' mental health and burnout symptoms at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of symptoms of mental health conditions and burnout of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, observational study, HCPs working during the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games were asked to complete an online, anonymous survey, which included demographic questions and questions regarding mental health symptoms including depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) as well as burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey: depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment). Correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between demographic characteristics and mental health symptoms.

Incidence and burden of illness at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 66 045 athlete days.

Objective: To describe the incidence and burden of illness at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which was organised with strict COVID-19 countermeasures.

Methods: Daily illnesses were recorded via the web-based injury and illness surveillance system (teams with their own medical staff; n=81), and local polyclinic services (teams without their own medical staff; n=81). Illness proportion, incidence and burden were reported for all illnesses and in subgroups by sex, age, competition period, sports and physiological system.

Incidence and burden of injury at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 66 045 athlete days.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including injuries sustained in the new sports of badminton and taekwondo.

Methods: Injury data were obtained daily via the established web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS; 81 countries, 3836 athletes) and local organising committee medical facilities (81 countries, 567 athletes). Univariate unadjusted incidences (injuries per 1000 athlete days with 95% CIs), injury proportion (IP, %) and injury burden (days lost per 1000 athlete days) are reported.

A novel pivot ankle/foot prosthesis reduces sound side loading and risk for osteoarthritis: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Background: Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation are at risk of abnormal mechanical joint loading and development of osteoarthritis on sound side joint structures.

Objectives: This study describes the spatiotemporal and kinetic and kinematic parameters related to osteoarthritis in participants while using (A) a solid-ankle cushioned-heel prosthesis (SACH), (B) a conventional energy storage and return (ESAR) foot prosthesis, and (C) a novel ESAR (N-ESAR) foot prosthesis.

Study Design: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Promotion of Para athlete well-being in South Africa (the PROPEL studies): Profiles and prevalence of psychological distress.

Objectives: There is a paucity of research investigating mental health in Para athletes. The aim of this study was to describe mental health concerns of a representative sample of South African Para athletes.

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted at the 2019 National Championships for athletes with impairments.

High incidence of injuries at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games: a prospective cohort study of 6804 athlete days.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of sports injury at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Methods: 567 athletes from 49 countries were monitored daily for 12 days over the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games (6804 athlete days). Injury data were obtained daily from teams with their own medical support (41 teams and 557 athletes) and teams without their own medical support (8 teams and 10 athletes) through two electronic data capturing systems.

Incidence rate and burden of illness at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Objective: To describe the incidence rate (IR) and illness burden (IB) at the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Methods: A total of 567 athletes from 49 countries were monitored for 12 days over the Pyeongchang 2018 Games (6804 athlete days). Illness data were obtained daily from teams with (41 teams, 557 athletes) and teams without (8 teams, 10 athletes) their own medical support, through electronic data capturing systems.

Athletes with Brain Injury: Pathophysiologic and Medical Challenges.

Participation in elite sporting activities is becoming increasingly popular for individuals with brain injury. This article outlines the types of brain injury and the associated movement dysfunctions. In addition, specific pathophysiologic and medical challenges facing athletes with brain injury are discussed.

Sport, sex and age increase risk of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of illness at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

Methods: A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries, representing 83.5% of all athletes at the Games, were monitored on the web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS) over 51 198 athlete days during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

High precompetition injury rate dominates the injury profile at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games: a prospective cohort study of 51 198 athlete days.

Objectives: To describe the incidence of injury in the precompetition and competition periods of the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

Methods: A total of 3657 athletes from 78 countries, representing 83.4% of all athletes at the Games, were monitored on the web-based injury and illness surveillance system over 51 198 athlete days during the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

Site-Specific Bone Mineral Density Is Unaltered Despite Differences in Fat-Free Soft Tissue Mass Between Affected and Nonaffected Sides in Hemiplegic Paralympic Athletes with Cerebral Palsy: Preliminary Findings.

Objective: This study investigated bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm), fat mass (FM, kg), and fat-free soft tissue mass (FFSTM, kg) in Paralympic athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Methods: Bone mineral density, BMD Z scores (standard deviations), FM, and FFSTM were measured for the whole body and at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip sites on both nonaffected and affected sides of 6 athletes with hemiplegic CP.

Results: There were no differences between nonaffected and affected sides with respect to site-specific BMD and BMD Z scores and FM.

Effects of Induced Volitional Fatigue on Sprint and Jump Performance in Paralympic Athletes with Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: This study investigated performance, neuromuscular characteristics, and fatigue in Paralympic athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) during a maximal explosive performance trial, compared with well-trained, sprint-specific able-bodied athletes.

Design: Six Paralympic athletes with hemiplegic CP and 12 able-bodied athletes performed one 40-m sprint test (in seconds) and Vertical Jump Tests off both legs (in centimeters), the affected leg individually (in centimeters), and the nonaffected leg individually (in centimeters) before and after an adapted Multistage Shuttle Run Test to exhaustion. Electromyography of five bilateral muscles was measured for mean amplitude (percentage maximum activation).

A descriptive comparison of sprint cycling performance and neuromuscular characteristics in able-bodied athletes and paralympic athletes with cerebral palsy.

Objective: This study investigated the sprint cycling performance and neuromuscular characteristics of Paralympic athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) during a fatiguing maximal cycling trial compared with those of able-bodied (AB) athletes.

Design: Five elite athletes with CP and 16 AB age- and performance-matched controls performed a 30-sec Wingate cycle test. Power output (W/kg) and fatigue index (%) were calculated.