Wilderness Preparticipation Evaluation and Considerations for Special Populations

Area of Science:

• Wilderness Medicine
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Outdoor and wilderness activities present unique health risks for specific populations.
• Children, older adults, disabled athletes, and female athletes have distinct physiological and medical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review preparticipation evaluation strategies for special populations in wilderness sports.
• To highlight unique risks and management plans for diverse athlete groups.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of peer-reviewed English language articles from 1977 to 2014.
• Searches conducted on PubMed and SportDiscus databases using MeSH and text terms.
• Inclusion of Web-based sources for comprehensive information.

Main Results:

• Children: focus on altitude risks, prevention, and management.
• Older adults: awareness of chronic disease and medication interactions.
• Disabled athletes: need for event planning and equipment modification.
• Female athletes: considerations for menses, pregnancy, and ferritin levels.

Conclusions:

• Preparticipation evaluations must be tailored to the specific needs of special populations.
• Addressing unique risks enhances the safety and health of athletes in wilderness settings.
• Proactive medical assessment is crucial for successful wilderness adventures.