Thesis
MEDICAL AND PERFORMANCE TRENDS IN REPEAT IRONMAN-DISTANCE TRIATHLON COMPETITORS AT THE IRONMAN WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
01/2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004486
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118939
Abstract
Ironman-distance triathlon events are rigorous three-sport ultra-endurance competitions and often result in various adverse medical incidents among competitors. The overall purpose this thesis is to examine medical and performance trends for ironman-distance triathlon competitors over three decades. Standardized data sheets developed by race medical personnel were completed by registered nurses and physicians upon athlete check-in to the medical tent at the event between the years of 1989-2019. Medical trends were investigated for a repeat competitor population and competitors (n=427) were included for analysis within the current investigation if admitted to the tent for at least three competitions within a fifteen-year span. The performance trends investigation included all competitors (n=9446) that received medical attention at the Ironman World Championships from 1989-2019. For medical trends among repeat competitors, significant associations were found between several adverse medical incidents for competitors’ first visit and for all 3+ year competitor visits. Additionally, repeat athletes experiencing hyponatremia, nausea, and muscle cramps during their first year had a significantly higher risk of returning with the same medical problem in subsequent years. Contrarily, participants that experienced vomiting during their initial visit were less likely to return for the same problem in subsequent years. For performance trends, significant differences were found between the category of an athletes’ primary medical issue and finisher status. Athletes that experienced GI distress, dehydration, hyponatremia, and dizziness as a primary issue had significantly lower odds of finishing the race when compared to those with primary medical issues in other categories. Furthermore, we found that seeking medical attention for hyponatremia significantly decreased performance for the total sample, males, and females as well as the 18 and 30-49 age groups when compared to non-hyponatremic athletes. However, seeking medical attention for muscle cramps significantly increased performance for the total sample, females and the 30-49 age group.
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Details
- Title
- MEDICAL AND PERFORMANCE TRENDS IN REPEAT IRONMAN-DISTANCE TRIATHLON COMPETITORS AT THE IRONMAN WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Creators
- Stephanie P Cho
- Contributors
- Christopher P Connolly (Advisor)Doug Hiller (Committee Member)Shikha Prashad (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 116
- Identifiers
- 99900882139001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis