Objectives Athletes competing in blind football have consistently been highlighted as at risk for injuries, and potential concussions. This study described the incidence of injuries sustained by athletes competing in blind football (Football 5-a-side) at the London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This study described injury proportions and incidences by age, period of competition, onset and mechanism, anatomical area, final diagnosis, and anticipated time loss. Methods This study was a sub-study of the ongoing Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance studies conducted at the Paralympic Games. Frequencies, proportions, and univariate unadjusted incidences were reported per 1000 athlete days. Results Sixty injuries in 49 athletes were reported over the three Paralympic Games, with an incidence of 21.5 injuries per 1000 athlete days. The highest incidences were reported in athletes >35years (25.8); during the competition period (25.0); and the lower limb (11.0). The second highest incidence was reported for the head, face, and neck injuries (4.4). Most injuries were acute sudden onset (16.0) with direct contact (56%) the main mechanism of injury. No confirmed concussions were reported. Diagnoses varied across anatomical areas and most injuries (61%) resulted in no time loss. Conclusion This study shows that acute head and lower limb injuries occurring during the competition period are common in blind footballers. There is a need for targeted prevention strategies to mitigate the incidence of acute injuries during active competition. This is especially true for potential concussions, which are suspected to occur in blind football despite low recognition or reporting. Improvement in concussion detection and reporting protocols are crucial to safeguard athletes in future. What is known • Blind football has been consistently reported to have the highest injury incidence at the Paralympic Games • To aid injury prevention, more information is needed regarding in-depth descriptions of these injuries What is new • This study is the first to describe the injury characteristics sustained during blind football across multiple Paralympic Games • Acute lower limb injuries from direct contact were most common, followed by head, neck, and face injuries. Still, no confirmed concussions were reported, or were any assessments reported to have been conducted • Injuries were most common during the competition period, unlike trends across previous Paralympic Games studies involving all athletes at the Games, indicating that injuries are sustained during competition, rather than training, in this cohort • These findings show the need for developing injury reporting systems, tailored prevention strategies and enhanced concussion detection in blind football
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