Types of Patients during a Marathon Course: Two International Scale of Marathon Runnings

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Marathon running is a unique long-distance sport with respect to injuries because it involves continuous movement allowing for different types of injuries that appear at each distance achieved. We initiated this study to analyze the types of injury patterns associated with marathon running to better predict the types of injuries expected at different points of a marathon course in order to provide more efficient emergency medical care. METHODS: The analysis is based on two international marathons that involved 12,356 runners in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon on March 14, 2004, and 3.873 runners in the 2004 Korea Open Marathon on March 28, 2004. We designed medical recording paper and applied it to the patients during the marathon course, and we finally analyzed the different injuries that occurred from the start to finish lines. RESULTS: The results revealed that injuries varied with respect to different distances achieved. From the start line to 10 km, minor contusions and abrasions formed the majority of injuries. However, from the 25 km area to the finish line, cardiovascular symptoms and heat related disorders manifested. CONCLUSION: As seen in our study, given that severity of injury patterns differ from point to point during a marathon course, emergency medical care should be also allocate appropriate resources at differing points on a marathon course in anticipation of probable escalating medical needs.