Special Considerations in Medical Screening for Participants in Remote Endurance Events

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Event Safety
• Remote Healthcare

Background:

• Participation in remote endurance events is rising.
• Current medical screening processes for these events are not well-defined.
• Low-risk medical conditions can become high-risk in remote, austere environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a general approach for medical screening of participants in remote endurance events.
• To identify common and important medical conditions requiring consideration during screening.
• To guide medical directors in risk assessment and informed consent for event participation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing practices and literature on medical screening for endurance events.
• Discussion of risk stratification for medical conditions in remote settings.
• Emphasis on collaborative decision-making between medical directors, event organizers, athletes, and clinicians.

Main Results:

• A systematic approach to risk assessment is necessary for medical disqualification decisions.
• High-risk medical conditions require careful consideration and consensus for participation.
• Modifications and accommodations can mitigate risks and enable participation.

Conclusions:

• Medical directors must be familiar with risk assessment and informed consent principles for remote endurance events.
• A consensus-based approach involving multiple stakeholders is recommended for high-risk athletes.
• Tailored accommodations can facilitate safe participation in remote endurance events.