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Green D, Sewry N, Derman W, Killops J, Boer PH, Jordaan E, Schwellnus M. A high incidence of serious life-threatening cardiovascular medical encounters during a marathon (2014-2019) calls for prevention strategies: SAFER XL. PHYSICIAN SPORTSMED 2024. [PMID: 39234673 DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2024.2399495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and nature (severity and type by organ system and specific diagnosis) of all medical encounters (MEs), including serious/life-threatening MEs (SLMEs) during a South African road marathon. METHODS This descriptive study was a retrospective analysis of data collected over 6 years at the Cape Town Marathon from 2014-2019, which included 40 446 starters. All MEs were collected and described as per the consensus statement for mass community-based sporting events. Incidences (I; per 1000 starters; 95%CI) are described for all MEs, SLMEs, and by organ system and specific diagnosis. RESULTS The incidence of all MEs was 8.7 (95% CI: 7.8-9.6) per 1000 starters. The largest contributor to all MEs, by organ system affected, was cardiovascular-related, with an incidence of 1.8 (95%CI: 1.4-2.2), where exercise-associated postural hypotension was the most common specific diagnosis (I = 1.3; 95%CI: 1.0-1.7). The incidence of all SLMEs was 1.0 (95% CI: 0.7 -1.4) making up 11.7% (41/350) of all MEs. The incidence of SLMEs by organ system was highest in the cardiovascular system (I = 0.4; 95%CI: 0.3-0.7), with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (I = 0.2; 95%CI: 0.1-0.4) the most common specific diagnosis. There were no sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) nor sudden cardiac arrests (SCA). CONCLUSION There was a high proportion of cardiovascular-related medical encounters, as well as SLMEs. We recommend that event organizers and race medical directors investigate prevention strategies to mitigate against risk of SLMEs, specifically acute cardiovascular SLMEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Green
- Mediclinic Corporate Events Department, Mediclinic (PTY) Ltd, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicola Sewry
- Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- International Olympic Committee Research Centre, South Africa
| | - Wayne Derman
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Olympic Committee Research Centre, South Africa
| | - Jannelene Killops
- Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria
| | - Pieter Henk Boer
- Department of Human Movement Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington, South Africa
| | - Esmè Jordaan
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa
- Statistics and Population Studies, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martin Schwellnus
- Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- International Olympic Committee Research Centre, South Africa
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Notley SR, Mitchell D, Taylor NAS. A century of exercise physiology: concepts that ignited the study of human thermoregulation. Part 3: Heat and cold tolerance during exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1-145. [PMID: 37796292 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05276-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
In this third installment of our four-part historical series, we evaluate contributions that shaped our understanding of heat and cold stress during occupational and athletic pursuits. Our first topic concerns how we tolerate, and sometimes fail to tolerate, exercise-heat stress. By 1900, physical activity with clothing- and climate-induced evaporative impediments led to an extraordinarily high incidence of heat stroke within the military. Fortunately, deep-body temperatures > 40 °C were not always fatal. Thirty years later, water immersion and patient treatments mimicking sweat evaporation were found to be effective, with the adage of cool first, transport later being adopted. We gradually acquired an understanding of thermoeffector function during heat storage, and learned about challenges to other regulatory mechanisms. In our second topic, we explore cold tolerance and intolerance. By the 1930s, hypothermia was known to reduce cutaneous circulation, particularly at the extremities, conserving body heat. Cold-induced vasodilatation hindered heat conservation, but it was protective. Increased metabolic heat production followed, driven by shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis, even during exercise and work. Physical endurance and shivering could both be compromised by hypoglycaemia. Later, treatments for hypothermia and cold injuries were refined, and the thermal after-drop was explained. In our final topic, we critique the numerous indices developed in attempts to numerically rate hot and cold stresses. The criteria for an effective thermal stress index were established by the 1930s. However, few indices satisfied those requirements, either then or now, and the surviving indices, including the unvalidated Wet-Bulb Globe-Thermometer index, do not fully predict thermal strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Notley
- Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Duncan Mitchell
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Nigel A S Taylor
- Research Institute of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Khodaee M, Saeedi A, Harris-Spinks C, Hew-Butler T. Incidence of exercise-associated hyponatremia during a high-altitude 161-km ultramarathon. Phys Act Nutr 2021; 25:16-22. [PMID: 34727684 PMCID: PMC8580585 DOI: 10.20463/pan.2021.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is a well-known condition among endurance athletes at low altitudes. The incidence of EAH during ultramarathons at high altitudes warrants further investigation. This prospective observational study was conducted on the participants of the Leadville Trail 100 run, a 161-km race held at a high altitude (2,800 m-3,840 m). [Methods] Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after the race. The participants completed an electronic survey after the race. Our main outcome measure was the post-race serum sodium ([Na+]) level. [Results] Of the 672 athletes who started the race, 351 (52%) successfully completed the event within the 30-hour cut-off. Post-race blood samples were collected from 84 runners (66 finishers). Both pre- and post-race blood samples were collected from 37 participants. Twenty percent of the post-race participants had EAH. Only one post-race participant had a [Na+] level of <130 mmol/L. All participants with EAH were asymptomatic. One participant had an abnormal pre-race [Na+] level (134 mmol/L). Female participants had a significantly higher rate of EAH than male participants (40% vs. 16%; p=0.039). Age, body mass index, weight changes, race completion status, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and urine specific gravity were not associated with the development of EAH. Lower postrace [Na+] levels were associated with higher serum creatine kinase values (R2=0.1, p<0.005). [Conclusion] High altitude (3,840 m peak) does not appear to enhance the incidence of EAH after an ultramarathon footrace. This suggests that ambient temperature (low temperatures reduce risk), sex (female predilection), endurance running, and overhydration are more prominent risk factors for EAH than high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Khodaee
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics, Denver, USA
| | - Anahita Saeedi
- University of Massachusetts, Department of Biostatistics, MA, USA
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Breslow RG, Giberson-Chen CC, Roberts WO. Burden of Injury and Illness in the Road Race Medical Tent: A Narrative Review. Clin J Sport Med 2021; 31:e499-e505. [PMID: 32032158 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the literature relating to prehospital care at 5 km through marathon distance road races and present the epidemiology of common medical encounters, significant medical complications, and medical outcomes. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for the published literature pertaining to road race medical tent encounters at 5 km through marathon distance road races from 2000 to 2018. We included English-language, original articles reporting on injury and illness incidence. MAIN RESULTS Standard medical encounter definitions have recently been formulated in response to the previous lack of uniform definitions. The incidence of medical complications at road races may be influenced by environmental conditions and race distance. Minor and moderate medical encounters, such as dermatologic injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, and exercise-associated collapse, are common. Serious and life-threatening medical complications, including exertional heat stroke, exercise-associated hyponatremia, and cardiac arrest, are less frequent. Fatalities are also rare, with rates of 0.3 to 5 per 100 000 participants reported at marathons. The ratio of hospital transports to medical encounters is low. CONCLUSIONS On-site medical services play a key role in the safety of both runners and the community. Future research and care initiatives in this field should focus on optimizing treatment protocols, promoting injury prevention efforts and reducing host community costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Breslow
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- International Institute for Race Medicine, Plymouth, Massachusetts
| | | | - William O Roberts
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
- International Institute for Race Medicine, Plymouth, Massachusetts
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Tan XR, Low ICC, Byrne C, Wang R, Lee JKW. Assessment of dehydration using body mass changes of elite marathoners in the tropics. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 24:806-810. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Knechtle B, Chlíbková D, Papadopoulou S, Mantzorou M, Rosemann T, Nikolaidis PT. Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Performance-Aspects of Sex, Race Location, Ambient Temperature, Sports Discipline, and Length of Performance: A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 55:E537. [PMID: 31455034 PMCID: PMC6780610 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is defined as a plasma sodium concentration of <135 mmol/L during or after endurance and ultra-endurance performance and was first described by Timothy Noakes when observed in ultra-marathoners competing in the Comrades Marathon in South Africa in the mid-1980s. It is well-established that a decrease in plasma sodium concentration <135 mmol/L occurs with excessive fluid intake. Clinically, a mild hyponatremia will lead to no or very unspecific symptoms. A pronounced hyponatremia (<120 mmol/L) will lead to central nervous symptoms due to cerebral edema, and respiratory failure can lead to death when plasma sodium concentration reaches values of <110-115 mmol/L. The objective of this narrative review is to present new findings about the aspects of sex, race location, sports discipline, and length of performance. The prevalence of EAH depends on the duration of an endurance performance (i.e., low in marathon running, high to very high in ultra-marathon running), the sports discipline (i.e., rather rare in cycling, more frequent in running and triathlon, and very frequent in swimming), sex (i.e., increased in women with several reported deaths), the ambient temperature (i.e., very high in hot temperatures) and the country where competition takes place (i.e., very common in the USA, very little in Europe, practically never in Africa, Asia, and Oceania). A possible explanation for the increased prevalence of EAH in women could be the so-called Varon-Ayus syndrome with severe hyponatremia, lung and cerebral edema, which was first observed in marathon runners. Regarding the race location, races in Europe seemed to be held under rather moderate conditions whereas races held in the USA were often performed under thermally stressing conditions (i.e., greater heat or greater cold).
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Daniela Chlíbková
- Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, 61669 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sousana Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Mantzorou
- Food Science and Nutrition Department, University of the Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pantelis T Nikolaidis
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece
- School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
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Knechtle B, Chlíbková D, Nikolaidis PT. [Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance Performance]. PRAXIS 2019; 108:615-632. [PMID: 31288661 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance Performance Abstract. Exercise-associated hyponatremia is defined as a plasma sodium concentration of <135 mmol/l and was first described by Timothy Noakes at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa in the mid-1980s. A decrease in plasma sodium <135 mmol/l occurs with excessive fluid intake. Risk factors include long to very long endurance performance, extreme climatic conditions, female gender and competitions in the USA. Regarding its prevalence by sport, exercise-associated hyponatraemia tends to occur while swimming and running, but rarely when cycling. While mild exercise-associated hyponatremia does not lead to clinical symptoms, severe hyponatremia due to cerebral edema can lead to neurological deficits and even death. The best prevention of exercise-associated hyponatremia is the reduction of fluid intake during exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- 1 Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen
- 2 Institut für Hausarztmedizin, Universität Zürich, Zürich
| | - Daniela Chlíbková
- 3 Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Tschechien
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Cheuvront SN, Montain SJ. Myths and methodologies: Making sense of exercise mass and water balance. Exp Physiol 2017; 102:1047-1053. [DOI: 10.1113/ep086284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott J. Montain
- US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine; Natick MA USA
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Hew-Butler T, Loi V, Pani A, Rosner MH. Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: 2017 Update. Front Med (Lausanne) 2017; 4:21. [PMID: 28316971 PMCID: PMC5334560 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) was initially described in the 1980s in endurance athletes, and work done since then has conclusively identified that overdrinking beyond thirst and non-osmotic arginine vasopressin release are the most common etiologic factors. In recent years, EAH has been described in a broader variety of athletic events and also has been linked to the development of rhabdomyolysis. The potential role of volume and sodium depletion in a subset of athletes has also been described. This review focuses on the most recent literature in the field of EAH and summarizes key new findings in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Loi
- SC Nephrology and Dialysis, Brotzu Hospital , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Antonello Pani
- SC Nephrology and Dialysis, Brotzu Hospital , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Mitchell H Rosner
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, VA , USA
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