The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 Feb 08

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12072-9

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Longer race distance predicts gastrointestinal illness-related medical encounters in 153 208 endurance runner race starters - SAFER XVI

Sanushka PILLAY ¹, Martin P. SCHWELLNUS ^{2, 3, 4} ✉, Catharina GRANT ¹, Audrey JANSEN VAN RENSBURG ¹, Sonja SWANEVELDER ⁵, Esme JORDAAN ^{5, 6}

¹ Sport Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI) & Section Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; ² Sport Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; ³ Sport and Exercise Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; ⁴ International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre, South Africa; ⁵ Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa; ⁶ Statistics and Population Studies Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal illness-related (GITill) medical encounters during distance running range from mild to debilitating. The objective is to identify factors that may predict GITill among 21.1km and 56km race starters.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data collected prospectively over 8 years at the Two Oceans 56km and 21.1km races with 153 208 race starters. GITill encounters requiring medical attention on race day were recorded by medical staff. Risk factors associated with GITill explored in univariate models included: race distance (21.1km; 56km), sex, age group, running experience, running speed, and environmental factors (wet-bulb temperature, wind speed and humidity). Incidence (per 100 000 race starters; 95%CI) and incidence ratios (IR) (with 95% CI) are reported.
RESULTS: The incidence of GITill encounters was 60 (95%CI:50-80) (1/1667 race starters). A longer race distance (56km vs. 21.1km) was the strongest predictor of GITill (IR=4.3; 95%CI:2.7-6.7) (p<0.0001). Among the 56km race starters, slower running speed (km/h) was a predictor of GITill (IR=1.63; 95%CI:1.2-2.3) (p=0.0024). Neither age group, nor running experience or any environmental factors (wet-bulb temperature, wind speed, humidity) were associated with a higher risk of GITill.
CONCLUSIONS: Medical teams, responsible for care at longer race distances, can expect a higher incidence of GITill that require medical attention compared with shorter race distances. Slower runners competing in ultramarathons are a subgroup at higher risk of GITill. These data can assist medical teams at events to improve and plan medical care, target runner education and establish prevention strategies to reduce GITill in runners.

KEY WORDS: Running; Gastrointestinal illness; Medical encounters; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Ultramarathon; Half marathon