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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(07): 565-569
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1569347
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Injury and Illness Rates During Ultratrail Running

G. Vernillo
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
3   CeRiSM, Research Center ‘Sport, Mountain and Health’, University of Verona, Rovereto (TN), Italy
,
A. Savoldelli
2   Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
3   CeRiSM, Research Center ‘Sport, Mountain and Health’, University of Verona, Rovereto (TN), Italy
,
A. La Torre
1   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
,
S. Skafidas
4   Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
,
L. Bortolan
2   Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
3   CeRiSM, Research Center ‘Sport, Mountain and Health’, University of Verona, Rovereto (TN), Italy
,
F. Schena
2   Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
3   CeRiSM, Research Center ‘Sport, Mountain and Health’, University of Verona, Rovereto (TN), Italy
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Correction: Injury and Illness Rates During Ultratrail RunningInt J Sports Med 2016; 37(07): e13-e13
DOI: 10.1055/a-1400-4290

Abstract

This study aimed to describe injury/illness rates in ultratrail runners competing in a 65-km race to build a foundation for injury prevention and help race organizers to plan medical provision for these events. Prospectively transcribed medical records were analysed for 77 athletes at the end of the race. Number of injuries/illnesses per 1 000 runners and per 1 000-h run, overall injury/illness rate and 90% confidence intervals and rates for major and minor illnesses, musculoskeletal injuries, and skin disorders were analysed. A total of 132 injuries/illnesses were encountered during the race. The overall injuries/illnesses were 1.9 per runner and 187.9 per 1000-h run. Medical illnesses were the most prominent medical diagnoses encountered (50.3%), followed by musculoskeletal injuries (32.8%), and skin-related disorders (16.9%). Despite the ultra-long nature of the race, the majority of injuries/illnesses were minor in nature. Medical staff and runners should prepare to treat all types of injuries and illnesses, especially the fatigue arising throughout the course of an ultratrail run and injuries to the lower limbs. Future studies should attempt to systematically identify injury locations and mechanisms in order to better direct injury prevention strategies and plan more accurate medical care.

Key words

dermatological injuries - injury management - musculoskeletal injuries - trail running - ultraendurance - ultramarathon


Publication History

Received: 30 August 2015

Accepted after revision: 23 November 2015

Article published online:
26 April 2016

© 2016. Thieme. All rights reserved.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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