Burden of Injury and Illness in the Road Race Medical Tent: A Systematic Review

Background: The burden of injuries and illnesses during road races, especially in medical tents, has attracted increasing attention due to the rising popularity of these events. While marathons have been extensively studied, there is limited data on shorter distance races, such as ۱۰-kilometer events. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the types and prevalence of medical encounters in medical tents at road races, highlighting common injuries and illnesses, and providing insights for better medical planning and resource allocation. Methods: This review included a comprehensive literature search up to ۲۰۲۳, focusing on medical encounters in race-day medical tents, and data were extracted from various studies reporting on injuries and illnesses treated during these events. The authors evaluated the incidence of medical events per number of finishers, classified the types of medical issues encountered, and analyzed the demographics of injured runners. Patterns related to race size, environmental conditions, and runner performance were also emphasized. Results: The systematic review combined data from ۱۹ different road races with over ۹۰,۰۰۰ finishers, resulting in a total of ۵۶۲ recorded medical events, which led to a cumulative incidence rate of ۶.۲ events per ۱,۰۰۰ finishers (۹۵% CI: ۵.۷-۶.۸). The most common issues included heat-related illnesses (۱.۶ per ۱,۰۰۰ finishers), musculoskeletal complaints (۱.۳ per ۱,۰۰۰), and fluid/electrolyte imbalances (۱.۲ per ۱,۰۰۰). Notably, runners finishing in the fastest and slowest quintiles sought medical assistance more often compared to those in middle positions. Most treatments involved supportive care and first aid; however, a small number required more intensive interventions, such as immersion in ice water for heat-related illness (۱.۰ per ۱,۰۰۰ finishers). The analysis also indicated a low rate of hospital transport (۰.۲ per ۱,۰۰۰ finishers) with no reported fatalities. Conclusion: This systematic review underscores the significant burden of injury and illness in the medical tents of road races, particularly in shorter distances like ۱۰-kilometer events. The findings highlight the need for improved medical preparedness and resource allocation to address common health issues that runners face during these events. Increased awareness and coordination could also potentially reduce the risks associated with road racing.

کلیدواژه ها:

Road Race ، Medical Tent ، Injury ، Illness ، Public Health