Noteworthy performance of muscle injured para-athletes: A study of MRI-detected muscle injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background To the best of our knowledge, no studies have attempted to correlate athletic performance with muscle injuries sustained during Paralympic Games. Aim This study reports the incidence, anatomical location, anatomical site classification, and relationship between competition results and anatomical site classification in athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games. Methods All MRI images collected at the IPC polyclinic at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were reviewed to identify the presence and anatomical site of muscle injuries. The athletes’ competition results were reviewed using IPC data sources. Results Twenty-six MRI-detected muscle injuries were observed in 16 male and 10 female athletes. Muscle injuries were most commonly observed during track and field events (n = 20) and in athletes with visual impairment (n = 12). Ten of the injuries involved the tendon. Twenty-one of injured athletes (81%) completed their competition, whereas 5 athletes did not. Eight athletes won medals in the Games. The anatomical site of muscle injury did not significantly impact the proportion of athletes who did not finish competition. Conclusion Many athletes who sustained muscle injuries completed their competitions. No association was found between anatomical site classification and Paralympic athletes’ performance in this study.