Sports medical experiences from the International Flower Marathon for disabled wheelers

Little is known about sports medical problems in long distance wheelchair athletes. Using a continuous mon itoring system, we studied participants of a yearly wheelchair event lasting 1 week (International Flower Marathon). The aims were 1) to evaluate the medical problems in 40 athletes who took part in the 1986 edition and 2) to explore whether problems in previous editions (1984 and 1985) played a role in the decision to take part in 1986. The results showed that 19 athletes experienced 20 medical problems, many of which were caused by spills or were related to climatologic conditions. Problems were relatively more frequent in paraplegics and polio- disabled athletes (N = 22) than in the remaining com petitors (N = 18). Statistical analysis showed that this difference was significant (P < 0.01). Complaints in previous editions of the same event did not play a role in the athletes' decision to participate in the 1986 edition. This study suggests that the number and seri ousness of injuries and other medical problems in dis abled wheelers is related to environmental conditions as well as to the nature of disabilities involved. The study also shows, without doubt, that long distance events for wheelers need the support of adequate medical escorts.