Chronic prescription medication use in endurance runners: a cross-sectional study in 76,654 race entrants – SAFER XV

ABSTRACT

Objective

To determine the prevalence of chronic prescription medication (CPM) use in distant runners (by age and sex) and to compare CPM use in 21.1 km vs. 56 km race entrants.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 76,654 race entrants who completed a pre-race medical screening questionnaire during race registration, which included questions on the use of CPM and CPM use in eight main categories of CPM. Prevalence (%, 95%CIs) and prevalence ratios (PR) are reported.

Results

The prevalence of any CPM use was 12.5% (12.2–12.8). CPM use was higher in older age categories vs. the youngest age category (31–40 yrs vs. ≤30 yrs: PR = 1.4; 41–50 yrs vs. ≤30 yrs: PR = 2.1; >50 yrs vs. ≤30 yrs: PR = 3.4) (p < 0.0001) and females vs. males (PR = 1.1; p < 0.0001). The use of any CPM was significantly higher in 21.1 km vs. 56 km race entrants (PR = 1.2; p < 0.0001). Prevalence of CPM use in main categories was: blood pressure lowering medication (3.7%), cholesterol lowering medication (3.6%), asthma medication (3.1%), and medication to treat anxiety/depression (2.6%). The pattern of CPM in the main categories differed between 21.1 km and 56 km race entrants.

Conclusions

One in eight race entrants use CPM, with a higher prevalence of use among older race entrants, female vs. males, and 21.1 km vs. 56 km race entrants. Frequent CPMs used are blood pressure lowering medication, cholesterol lowering medication, asthma medication, and medication to treat anxiety/depression. The use of CPM medications may increase the risk of medical complications during exercise, and these data help identify subgroups of entrants that may be at higher risk for race medical encounters.

KEYWORDS:

• Runners
• athletes
• endurance
• medication use
• prescription medication

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge all the medical staff for their service to the athletes participating in the Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon over the years, the race organizers for their support of the project and all the athletes for their participation in both the races.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data sharing statement

No additional data are available.

Additional information

Funding

The study was partially funded by a research grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre (South Africa) at the University of Pretoria. The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) provided partial funding for the statistical analysis.