Abstract
Objective
Alaska's 1049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the world's longest sled dog race
and the flagship event in the sport of sled dog racing. Race conditions are typically
harsh. Physicians are not officially enlisted to care for human competitors. Instead,
medical needs are met through an informal system of volunteers, local health care
providers, and a fleet of bush planes. The goals of this study were to identify the
types of human injury and illness experienced and the methods by which these conditions
are treated.
Methods
Competitors in the 2010 Iditarod were surveyed at the halfway point and at the finish
of the race. Survey elements included specific types and frequencies of injuries and
illnesses, and the sources and types of treatments.
Results
Seventy-one teams entered the race, 62 participated in the halfway point survey, and
55 completed the finish line survey. Ninety-nine injuries were reported by 42 (68%)
of the survey respondents. Frostbite was the most common injury, occurring in 20 (31%)
of the respondents. Musculoskeletal pain was also commonly reported. Two mushers sustained
closed head injuries, with 1 requiring evacuation. Twenty-three mushers (37%) reported
an acute nontraumatic condition, most frequently an upper respiratory infection (9
respondents). In most instances, medical conditions were self-managed. Race veterinarians
and support staff, as well as local village clinicians, administered the majority
of care, typically wound care or oral antibiotic administration.
Conclusions
Most injuries and illnesses sustained by mushers in the Iditarod are minor and self-treatable.
Life-threatening conditions are rare, and the need for an organized medical care system
seems low.
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References
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: February 26, 2014
Accepted:
February 15,
2014
Received in revised form:
February 12,
2014
Received:
January 15,
2014
Footnotes
â?†The authors have no commercial associations or sources of support that might pose a conflict of interest. This study did not receive external funding. All authors have made substantive contributions to the study, and all authors endorse the data and conclusions. Reprints are not available from the authors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
