Mass Participation and Tournament Event Management for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement (2022 Update)

Area of Science:

• Sports medicine
• Event management
• Public health

Background:

• Mass participation events, such as marathons and tournaments, draw large numbers of athletes.
• Effective event management necessitates comprehensive medical and administrative planning.
• Participant care must address potential injuries, illnesses, and environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the essential components of medical management for mass participation events.
• To emphasize the importance of tailored safety advice and care strategies.
• To define the scope of medical planning, excluding spectator care.

Main Methods:

• Review of best practices in event medical management.
• Analysis of factors influencing participant health and safety.
• Development of a framework for medical administrative and participant care planning.

Main Results:

• Medical management must account for high participant volumes.
• Anticipation of common injuries and illnesses is key.
• Variable environmental conditions and diverse participant demographics require specific considerations.

Conclusions:

• Robust medical planning is essential for the safety of participants in mass events.
• Strategies should address the unique challenges posed by large-scale athletic competitions.
• This guidance focuses exclusively on participant care, not spectator safety.