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Letter to the Sports Editor…Preventative Sports Medicine

Mar 28, 2015 Sports

Dear Sports Editor,
The I.A.A.F World Athletics championship is the third largest sports event in the world. In Daegu 2011, over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries completed. Aside from winning medals, fame and other rewards on the elite level, sports participation is also important from a health perspective. There is no doubt that regular physical activity reduces the risk of premature death in general terms.
Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that although sports participation is beneficial, injuries and some medical conditions are a significant side effect. This aspect becomes crucial when you consider the thousands of people of different ages, who are training and competing in so many athletics events around the world including the thousands of road races held annually, especially in tropical countries.  Just recently in Jamaica a thirty-six year old woman collapsed and died while participating in the Annual Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run in that country, from suspected sudden cardiac death.
Although athletes are the major actors in Athletics competitions, other important participants such as team officials, spectators and local operators or volunteers, shouldn’t be ignored in the competitions medical coverage. Large sports arenas typically gather several thousands of spectators, including adult and senior individuals with potential cardiac risk and other health concerns. Although much attention is placed on the athletes on the field, a number of severe medical conditions could occur amongst spectators.
In recent years the I.A.A.F. has recognized that health care and the prevention injuries of all athletes in its member Association/ Federation is an area which must be addressed. The I.A.A.F, through its medical and Anti-doping commission and department, is committed to working to make our sports safer for all our athletes, from novices to world Class competitors.
Local organizing committees are encouraged more and more to provide adequate medical coverage for all participants at Athletics competitions. The I.A.A.F is increasingly emphasizing projects on the prevention of injuries and illnesses. Good examples of this work were put in place during the I.A.A.F world championship in Osaka 2007, Berlin 2009 and Daegu 2011. The results of these three epidemiology surveys have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and concluded that the incidence of injuries and illnesses among athletes should not be neglected and require preventative measures.
Wayne Walcott
I.A.A.F certified
Athletics Coach

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