Attention to competitive diving injuries : a systematic review

Abstract

Competitive diving is a popular sport that attracts numerous participants worldwide; unfortunately, competitive divers experience a notable frequency of injuries during training and competition. Despite this, injuries in diving often received less attention compared to those in other aquatic sports. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to update the scientific evidence on injury incidence in competitive divers to offer insights into the prevalent injury patterns and help develop injury prevention strategies. This involved analyzing injury data collected from the Injury Surveillance Programme (ISP) across various levels of competition events and assessing case reports involving a wide spectrum of diving injuries. Four online bibliographical databases were consulted: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scops, and Web of Science from their inception until December 6, 2023.819 studies were initially identified, and 15 studies were finally included in this review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISM) guidelines and PRISMA in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport Medicine, and Sport Science (PERSiST) were followed. Two independent reviewers evaluated the methodological quality of the studies. The majority of diving injuries are concentrated on the upper body/trunk, including the shoulder, spine, hand/wrist, head/face, and neck, with overuse injury being a main contribution. Regarding diving incidence, the actual injury rate in competitive athletes could be even higher than currently reported, primarily due to limitations in implementing injury surveillance protocol for diving athletes. The latest injury data for diving in big competition events is absent, and there is a strong expectation for more new injury surveillance data to be published in the future. Additionally, the specific injury pattern, prevention strategy, and rehabilitation training plan for diving injury are severely deficient in the current literature.