Sports injury profile of competitive waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddlers in New Zealand

Abstract

Using a self-reported retrospective cohort analysis the purpose of this research was to describe the type, frequency, severity, causative mechanisms, and exposure risk of injuries amongst competitive Waka Ama paddlers in New Zealand. An injury surveillance questionnaire of Waka Ama injuries and exposure was conducted using face to face interviews and a Web site–based interactive survey. Completed surveys were obtained from 240 individuals reporting 132 injuries amongst 101 athletes; 42% of those surveyed had sustained one or more injuries while participating in Waka Ama in the previous 12 months. The majority (79%, n = 80) of the injured athletes sustained only 1 injury with the overall risk of injury being 1.82 per 1000 hours of exposure. Sprains/strains accounted for 62% of all injuries and the majority (35%) of recorded injuries were to the shoulder. Largely the injuries were not serious with 20% classified as slight, and there were no permanent disabilities or career ending injuries. Although a relatively safe sport, injuries to the shoulder and back, risks associated with long distance and multi-seat events, carrying the Waka Ama, and barriers to seeking medical attention warrant further investigation to reduce current injury incidence and severity in the sport of Waka Ama.