Objectives-To identify risk factors for injuries and other health problems occurring during or immediately after participation in a marathon. Methods-A prospective cohort study was undertaken of participants in the 1993 Auckland Citibank marathon. Demographic data, information on running experience, training and injuries, and information on other lifestyle factors were obtained from participants before the race using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Information on injuries and other health problems sustained during or immediately after the marathon were obtained by a self administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were undertaken to identify significant risk factors for health problems. Results-This study, one of only a few controlled epidemiological studies that have been undertaken of running injuries, has identified a number of risk factors for injuries and other health problems sustained in a marathon. Men were at increased risk of hamstring and calf problems, whereas women were at increased risk of hip problems. Participation in a marathon for the first time, participation in other sports, illness in the two weeks before the marathon, current use of medication, and drinking alcohol once a month or more, were associated with increased self reported risks of problems. While increased training seemed to increase the risk of front thigh and hamstring problems, it may decrease the risk of knee problems. There are significant but complex relations between age and risk of injury or health problem. Conclusions-This study has identified certain high risk subjects and risk factors for injuries and other health problems sustained in a marathon. In particular, subjects who have recently been unwell or are taking medication should weigh up carefully the pros and cons of participating. (Br J Sports Med 1999;33:22-26)

Objective-To describe the incidence of injuries and other health problems sustained during participation in a marathon. Methods-A cohort study was undertaken involving the 1993 Auckland Citibank marathon participants. Demographic data and information on injuries and other health problems sustained during, immediately after, and 7 d following the marathon were obtained from a pre-race questionnaire, the medical aid posts, and a post-race questionnaire. Results-Of the 1219 starters, 916 (75.1%) completed both questionnaires. Seventy five individuals (6.2%) sought assistance at the medical aid posts. During or immediately after the marathon, 283 systemic health problems were reported by 218 respondents (23.8%) and 2671 specific health problems were reported by 846 respondents (92.4%). In the 7 d following the marathon, 1905 specific health problems were reported by 723 respondents (79.2%). The majority of the specific health problems were blisters, stiffness, and pain, predominantly involving the lower limbs.Conclusions-Although a high proportion of participants experienced health problem during the race, very few of these problems were serious. Many of the entrants were still experiencing problems 7 d after the marathon. (BrJ Sports Med 1996;30:324-326) health problems occurring during, immediately after, and seven days following a marathon. MethodsAll individuals planning to participate in the 1993 Auckland Citibank marathon (entrants) completed a preregistration form. This form sought information on the individual's name, age, gender, previous best marathon time, and goal time for the Auckland marathon. Unique race numbers were assigned by race organisers to each entrant. Individuals were then requested to register and collect their race packs during the two days preceding the marathon. At registration, each entrant was invited to participate in the study, to sign a consent form agreeing to their participation, and to complete an interviewer administered pre-race questionnaire.During the race, information was collected on all injuries and other health problems sustained by runners who attended the medical aid posts. Medical aid posts were placed along the race as well as at the finish line. In the week following the race, all entrants were mailed a post-race questionnaire. In addition, a pre-race questionnaire and consent form was sent to those entrants who had not originally completed it. The post-race questionnaire inquired about injuries and other medical problems sustained both during or immediately after the marathon and in the seven days following the marathon. Participants were asked about any systemic health problems, such as light headedness, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach problems, and chills. They were then asked about specific health problems, using a matrix of 13 body sites by 11 problem types. The entrants were asked to complete an identical matrix for problems occurring in the seven days after the marathon. A stamped addressed envelope was provided for the return of the questionnaire(s). ...

YE sero types 0:9, 0:5, 27 are regularly isolated from a range of animals in New Zealand: pigs, dogs, cattle, deer, goats, cats and sheep; while pigs have been found to be the only domestic animals to carry 0:3 serotype. In the Auckland region 90% of illness is caused by serotype 0:3 biotype 4.' Few international and no local studies have been carried out to assess the risk factors for YE infections. Given that previous studies had implicated food and water sources as the cause of YE infections, the hypothesis was that YE was obtained from particular types of food or water, or through food preparation practices which allowed YE to proliferate to a level which caused clinical illness. This case control study, the largest study yet published on YE, aims to identify major risk factors for YE infections and identify measures by which they can be reduced. It is intended the results of the study will provide guidance for prevention and control programs. MethodsA prospective case-control methodology was used. Estimates of the sample size required for the study using exposure levels in controls of 13%, power of 80%, odds ratios of more than 2.0, and confidence interval of 95% indicated that 182 cases and 364 controls would be required. A case was defined as a person who had YE isolated from a faeces specimen by either of the community pathology laboratories between April 1995 and June 1996. The laboratories notified the existence of the case and provided the name of the case's general practitioner. The general practitioner of each case was contacted by the principal investigator and permission was granted from the case via the GP to be included in the study. If the case was agreeable, the interviewer then contacted them to explain the study and arrange a convenient date and time for an interview, preferably within 48 hours of the case being notified. For each case, two controls were obtained. Controls were group matched to cases for age. A total of 360 controls were required for the study. The number of controls required in each age group: 0-4, 5-9, and then 10-year age bands was calculated using age-specific data on YE cases in Auckland for the period 1988 to 1993. Each interviewer was allocated a list of age bands required for their controls. Each control was