GOTS Congress Addresses Extreme Sports and Sailing Medicine

Salzburg is hosting the 27th annual congress of the Society for Orthopedic and Traumatological Sports Medicine (GOTS). The event kicked off with a press conference on Thursday focusing on "Extreme Sports Medicine: A Challenge for Athletes and Clinicians."

The congress, noted as the first globally to dedicate itself comprehensively to "Extreme Sports Medicine," aims to bring together experts to discuss the medical challenges associated with extreme physical performances. The discussions cover risks, injuries, and preventative strategies in these demanding disciplines.

Sport medical aspects of sailing were also highlighted, in parallel with events like Kieler Woche and the Olympic sailing competitions in London. Sailing requires athletes to possess a combination of endurance and short bursts of maximal physical exertion, depending on the boat class and conditions. Success hinges on material, technique, and the crew's physical and mental conditioning.

Common injuries in sailing include acute trauma such as cuts and bruises, often resulting from maneuvers like jibes or tacks, as well as capsizing. Muscle strains, particularly in the back, arms, and neck, are also frequent. Chronic issues like tendonitis can arise from repetitive strain, for instance, during "outriding" (shifting body weight to keep the boat upright) or when handling sails.

The GOTS congress is expected to provide insights into supporting athletes in extreme sports and sailing, with an emphasis on injury prevention and optimizing recovery to ensure their well-being and performance.