Requests for medical assistance during an amateur road cycling race

Abstract

Requests for medical assistance during an amateur road cycling race, which included 56,700 cyclists over 6 consecutive races between 2006 and 2011, were analysed with the aim of improving injury prevention and medical coverage.Medical assistance was requested by a small percentage of participants (1.7±1.0%), but the actual number seeking assistance was quite high due to the large total number of participants (162±51). 0.17% of all participants did not finish the race for medical reasons. No fatal injuries were recorded.The incidence rate of requests for medical assistance was 0.108/1000km, and the incidence of withdrawal was 0.011/1000km of the race.Of all medical requests, those due to direct trauma caused by falls accounted for 63%, requests for overload injuries accounted for 4% and requests for non-traumatic complaints accounted for 22% of the total; 11% of requests were not classified. Weather conditions may affect the type and the incidence of requests: requests for traumatic injuries increase if raining; requests for heat-related illnesses if hot.Prevention techniques are aimed at guaranteeing and promoting health and safety and should be implemented by both the race organisers and the cyclists.