Injuries and diseases in top professional watersports athletes

On the eve of the World Swimming Championship in 2015, which will be held in Russia, a review of literature analyzing injuries and diseases in top professional watersports athletes that may be acquired at competitions is presented. Modern professional sport is characterized by an intense training process, is highly competitive on the international level. Setting each new sports record becomes more and more complex. Top professional sport is associated with risk of injury, and the proper organization of biomedical support of training and competitive process is the key to reducing the incidence of injuries in sports. Literature review allowed making the following conclusions. Firstly, insufficient attention was paid to the registration of injuries in specific sports and their classification if occurred not only during competitions, but also during the training period. Secondly, during competitions the number of injuries increases in all watersports except synchronized swimming. Thirdly, the most traumatic sport is water polo, where most injuries occur during competitive activities. Fourthly, Watersports World Championships are associated with increased risk for diseases, although already implemented preventive measures reduced the incidence of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Fifthly, there is a need for further thorough study of the injuries and diseases frequencies to create preventive and rehabilitation measures in athletes involved in water sports. Thus, injuries and diseases are a significant risk for the health of athletes involved in water sports. All medical professionals involved in providing medical aid at the sporting competitions should know the specific features of injuries and diseases common for the certain sporting competitions, and develop the preventive measures.

injuries, morbidity, top professional athletes, competitions, watersports