Review of physiotherapy service for athletes of 2018 Olympic Winter games: Consideration of preparation for two polyclinics

Abstract

Objective: This study will provide to better understand the needs for physiotherapy services during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games (POG) from two polyclinics. It is necessary to understand the needs and what physiotherapists do during the Olympic Winter games for first time.

Design: An observational study.

Setting: 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games.

Participants: Athletes who visited the physiotherapy department of polyclinics.

Results: During 25 the days of the POG, a total of 125 athletes (n = 125, 83 males, 42 females) visited the two polyclinics. Of all visits, 69.6% were from the mountain polyclinic and 30.4% from the city. There were three reasons for visit, most of the reason for visit was injury and injury with recovery or injury prevention. Overall, the injury rate (per 1000 athletes) was 42.8 across 13 sports visited the physiotherapy department during the POG. Total numbers of treatments sessions were 823 provided and electrophysical modalities (36.2%) was the most utilized service in POG. And also there were significant differences in the physiotherapy services provided at the two polyclinics.

Conclusion: As each polyclinic differed in location, they addressed different populations of athletes; hence, the study provides insights into the injury trends and different physiotherapy treatments.

Keywords: Injury; Olympics; Physiotherapy service; Winter sports.