The usage of multidisciplinary physical therapies at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Summer Games: an observational study

This observational research study analyses the uptake of physical therapies treatments in Polyclinic during Rio 2016 Olympic Games. To describe usage services – therapy, osteopath, chiropractic, and sports massage by athletes non-athletes across different sports. The multidisciplinary team recorded treatment modalities, information on provider discipline reason for attendance, an Electronic Medical Record system throughout 32 days operation Polyclinic. Cold-therapy total immersion ice baths (TIIB) were provided as part services, but reported analysed separately. There 4993 encounters (4038 athletes, 955 non-athlete encounters). 1395 (12.4% all athletes) 393 sought treatment. For four disciplines, addition to TIIB, primary athlete attendance was recovery (52% encounters), followed injury (30%), maintenance (16%). Athletes “injury” main therapy (92% encounters, 2.8 per athlete), chiropractic (94%, 1.9) osteopathy (91%, 1.8) visits. Almost TIIB visits used (98% encounters; 2.1 athlete). from handball (37% athletes), judo (22%), athletics (21%), presented largest user groups. evaluates therapies’ activity, athlete's use team, including bath provision. These results emphasise importance a approach.