Team Korea Reports Low Injury Burden at Paris 2024 Olympics, Highlights Travel & Training Transition Risks
Paris, France - Initial injury and illness surveillance data from Team Korea at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games indicates a relatively low injury burden of 10.2 days per athlete-year. This finding emerges as researchers emphasize the importance of mitigating travel fatigue and maintaining consistent training schedules for optimal athlete performance.
A recent analysis reveals that 41% (40 of 97) of Olympic Team Korea athletes spent less than five days at their Olympic Training Center (OTC) before transitioning to the Olympic Village (OLV). Many athletes arrived late at night and proceeded directly to accommodations following their flights, with numerous athletes moving to the OLV without additional training sessions. this rapid transition is flagged as a potential risk factor, given research demonstrating the impact of travel fatigue and jet lag on athletes [26].
Comparative data from other national teams shows a combined injury and illness incidence rate of 16.7 per 1,000 athlete-days for Norwegian Olympic athletes between the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Games [13]. The injury burden for the Norwegian team was 17.3 days per athlete-year, slightly higher than Team Korea’s reported figure. A four-year study of Summer Olympic athletes from Great Britain (2016-2019) reported an even greater injury burden of 3.6 injuries per 1,000 athlete-days (54.1 days per athlete-year) and 1.3 illnesses per 1,000 athlete-days (10.4 days per athlete-year) [27].
Researchers caution that the low reported illness burden in Team Korea may not reflect a complete absence of impact, suggesting athletes might potentially be competing despite experiencing symptoms in the high-pressure Olympic environment. Given that training disruption is linked to competitive failure [28], preventative measures against respiratory infections are considered crucial for athlete health and performance, especially as preparations begin for the LA 2028 Olympics.
References:
[26] van janse DCC, Fowler P, racinais S. Practical tips to manage travel fatigue and jet lag in athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(15):821-2.
[13] Clarsen B,Steffen K,Berge HM,Bendiksen F,Fossan B,Fredriksen H,et al. Methods, challenges and benefits of a health monitoring program for Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic athletes: the road from London 2012 to tokyo 2020. Br J sports Med. 2021;55(23):1342-9.
[27] Ranson C, Wootten M, Biswas A, Herrington L, Gallimore D, Jackson PD, et al. Year-round longitudinal health surveillance in UK olympic summer sport athletes 2016-2019. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(13):836-41.
[28] Raysmith BP, Drew MK. Performance success or failure is influenced by weeks lost to injury and illness in elite Australian track and field athletes: a 5-year prospective study. J Sci med Sport. 2016;19(10):778-83.
