Objective
To describe the visiting medical services occurred and associated risk factors among participants of 2014 Shanghai International Marathon, and to put forward preventive suggestions.
Methods
Personal details and medical information of each runner visiting official medical stations were recorded and analyzed. Patients with severe injuries/illnesses (n=66, one runner refused investigation) were involved in the case group (n=65), and each case was matched by age, gender, and race distance with two controls (n=130) selected on random. Cases and controls were investigated on pre-marathon training, running apparel and shoes, race experience, and physical conditions through telephone. The patient presentation rate (PPR) and OR value were calculated. The injury related impact factors were assessed using logistic regression models.
Results
Totally 34 352 runners participated in 2014 Shanghai International Marathon. The PPR was 5.5%, the higher-level medical facility transferring rate was 1.5/104, and no fatality was reported. Among the 66 severe patients, the PPR of severe injure was 1.9‰, and the highest PPRs were found in the group of below 30 years old (2.6‰) and the males who ran half-marathon (5.0‰). Most injuries/illnesses were acquired 2-3 h after the marathon started (38 cases, 57.6%). Musculoskeletal injuries and trauma in lower limbs were the major causes for seeing a doctor. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that increasing weekly running distance (OR=2.187, 95%CI:1.262-3.791) and wearing used shoes (OR=16.758, 95%CI:3.054-91.968) were risk factors; tempo run (OR=0.046, 95%CI:0.007-0.315) and endurance run (OR=0.181, 95%CI:0.046-0.714) which were included in the training program and longer shoes wearing time (OR=0.875, 95%CI:0.792-0.967) were protective factors.
Conclusion
The medical resource at the second half of marathon needs strengthening. Pre-match training and health education on sports apparel could reduce the occurrence of injuries and illnesses during marathons.
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