Objectives

This study was designed to analyze the usage of medical service support in Korean Medicine Clinic at the polyclinic during 2019 FINA world championships period for furthermore study.

Methods

We recorded the daily occurrence of injury and illness through the electrical medical record used in Korean Medicine Clinic arranged in the polyclinic at Athletes’ Village during the period of 2019 FINA world championships.

Results

Among the 3080 cases reported at the polyclinic from July 5th to 29th in 2019, 1135 cases were treated in Korean Medicine clinic and this is about 36.8% of all the cases, the leading percentage in the polyclinic. In 1135 cases, the category of athletes were 509 cases (44.8%), the category of team officials were 221 cases (19.4%) and the category of FINA family were 92 cases (8.1%). Nationality of Russia was the most with 72 cases, and nationality of Republic of South Africa was the 2nd most with 69 cases. Respectively the ratio of injury among the patient visited the clinic was 89% (n = 1010), and the illness was 10.6% (n = 120). Respectively 48% of people (n = 543) who visited the clinic had an experience of acupuncture treatment before and 52% (n = 592) of people never experienced before. The frequency of treatment method used in the clinic was chuna manual medicine (64%), acupuncture (64%), and cupping (16%) in order. The frequency in location of body part treated was body trunk (n = 516, 49%), lower limbs (n = 205, 18%), upper limbs (n = 145, 12.8%) and head & neck (n = 93, 8.2%) in order.

Conclusions

The clinic using acupuncture established inside the polyclinic during the sports events hosted by the Federation Internationale de Natation was the first time ever in 2019 world championships. So the presented data constitute the basis for future analysis and study. Korean Medicine is likely to be effective in terms of the medical assistance for the international sports level of athletes, however further study is needed.

Keywords: Sports Korean Medicine, Sports medicine, acupuncture, sports injury, FINA, world championships