ATUAÇÃO DA ENFERMAGEM EM SAÚDE ESPORTIVA: CUIDADOS ESSENCIAIS PARA ATLETAS PARALÍMPICOS COM LESÃO MEDULAR E PARALISIA CEREBRAL

This article explores the role of nursing in the external sports health of Paralympic athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) and cerebral palsy (CP), emphasizing the importance of specific care for their well-being and performance. Through a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals and athletes, along with a literature review to identify nursing practices that meet the unique needs of these athletes. Findings reveal that nursing plays an essential role in supporting both the physical and emotional health of athletes, with guidelines encompassing medication administration, chronic condition management, and complication prevention. Likewise, nursing professionals face unique challenges, such as monitoring and adapting health practices according to the demands of Paralympic competitions. The study indicates the need for continuous development in training and personalized resources to enable nursing to effectively contribute to comprehensive and humane care for athletes, enhancing interdisciplinary as essential to improving sports care.