Injuries in elite pair skaters and ice dancers

Figure skating coaches have become concerned about the increasing number of injuries among competitive skaters, particularly pair skaters. This study prospectively examines the incidence, severity, and cause of injuries sustained by a group of elite pair skaters and ice dancers. Thirty-three serious injuries, causing the skater to alter training significantly or to cease training completely for at least 7 consecutive days, were recorded over a 9 month period. Female senior pair skaters reported an average of 1.4 serious injuries, and other groups averaged greater than 0.5 serious injury per skater. The lower extremities were injured most frequently, and 7 of the 33 serious injuries were directly related to the skating boot. Eleven serious injuries were caused by lifts. Few of the serious injuries appeared preventable. Changes in boot design and the training for lifting maneuvers should be initiated and studied prospectively to attempt to reduce the unacceptably high injury rate among elite pair skaters and ice dancers.