Background: The systematic surveillance of injuries and illness in young athletes is important to reduce the loss of training and competition time and enable continuing sports participation. However, the risk and incidence of injury and illness in tropical country athletes competing in winter sports remains unclear.

Objective: To identify the incidence, severity, and causes of injuries and illness in the Thailand National Youth Team during the 10-day First Winter Children of Asia Games.

Materials and Methods: In the present observational prospective cohort study, the authors used the International Olympic Committee (IOC) injury and illness surveillance system for multisport events. The injuries and illnesses of 18 Thailand athletes were collected daily by the team physician over a 10-day competition period.

Results: Eight injuries and nine illnesses were reported, equating to 44.4% of the athletes sustaining at least one injury and 50% at least one illness, an incidence rate of 2.6 injuries and 7.3 illnesses per 100 athletes, respectively. The risk of sustaining an injury was highest during cross country skiing while the most common type of injury was a sprain. The upper respiratory tract was the site most affected by illness with females reporting a greater illness rate.

Conclusion: The presented data constitute the basis for future analyses of injury and illness associated risk factors in winter sports, which are essential to develop and implement effective preventative strategies in tropical winter sport athletes.

Keywords: Surveillance, Injury and illness, Winter sport

DOI: doi.org/10.35755/jmedassocthai.2020.11.11140

Received 21 February 2020 | Revised 13 May 2020 | Accepted 22 May 2020