Is the risk of muscle injuries higher in the finals than in previous rounds of the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m sprints of international athletics championships?

Objectives: To compare incidence rates of lower limb muscle injuries (LLMIs) and hamstring muscle injuries (HMIs) in 100 m, 200 m and 400 m sprints disciplines between finals, semi-finals and heats of international athletics championships.
Design: Prospective total population study.
Methods: We analysed in-competition LLMIs and HMIs of female and male athletes during eight championships between 2009 and 2022.
Results: LLMI and HMI incidence rates in 100 m finals were significantly higher than in heats and semi-finals for female and male athletes. HMI incidence rates were significantly higher in 200 m finals than heats and semi-finals for male athletes.
Conclusions: LLMI and HMI risk was higher in finals compared to previous rounds during international athletics championships.
Competing Interests: Declaration of interest statement None declared. PE is an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine. KH is an Editor for the German Journal of Sports Medicine. PE and KH are Associate Editors for the BMJ Open Sports and Exercise Medicine.
(Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)