The Injury and Illness Profile of 23055 Participants in a 94.7km Cycle Race - Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is an annual recreational long distance cycling event in South Africa. Medical support at such an event is imperative, with little known regarding the risk of acute traumatic injuries and acute medical illness. PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and patterns of acute injury and medical illness and difference between sexes during a mass community cycling race. METHODS: A descriptive study of the 2014 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, documenting the incidence of acute traumatic injuries and acute non-traumatic medical illness in 23055 race starters (males=17520, females=5236, not specified=299) during the 94.7km distance. RESULTS: An incidence (per 1000 starters) of 38.69 (females=38.39, males=36.52) for all medical illness; with an incidence of 11.88 (females=16.42, males=10.73) for adverse medical events and of 1.3 (females=2.67, males=0.86) for serious adverse events, were reported. The incidence of non-traumatic medical complaints was 32.48 (females=31.32, males=33.39) and of traumatic injuries was 3.99 (females=7.07, males=3.14). Females had a higher risk of sustaining traumatic injuries (p<0.001), central nervous system (p=0.0062) and eye complaints (p=0.0107). The musculoskeletal system had the most complaints, 80.7%. Males 10-16yrs (p=0.0013) and females 23-39yrs (p=0.0336) and >50yrs (p=0.0002), had a higher risk for traumatic injuries. CONCLUSIONS: A reported ratio of 1:26 (females=1:26, males=1:28) of all starters developed medical complaints; with 1:84 cyclists (females=1:61, males=1:93) that developed adverse events and did not finish the race; and 1:769 participants (females=1:374, males=1:1163) developing serious adverse events that required hospitalisation. The majority of admissions for traumatic injuries were followed by cardiovascular complaints. A wide spectrum of medical complaints can be expected during mass recreational sport events, with a higher risk for females to sustain traumatic injuries, and encounter central nervous system and eye complaints. The majority of disorders involved the musculoskeletal system. Information regarding the pattern and type of medical encounters can prove useful during planning and management of similar future events.