Abstract

Handicapped sports are practiced for rehabilitation, recreation and also for athletic competition. The common belief that the risk of injury is higher in handicapped sports inspired this study. From 1994 to 1999, injury statistics were kept on the German national team for handicapped Alpine skiing. During this period, a strained brachial plexus, multiple fragment fracture of the femur, a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, AC joint rupture, calcaneocuboid avulsion fracture and one fractured clavicle were documented. The injuries suffered by the German handicapped Alpine ski team were compared with reports on injuries in the non-handicapped. It was shown that injury rate is specifically lower in top handicapped athletes. In conclusion, the belief that handicapped sports are dangerous is clearly unsubstantiated. Verf.-Referat