Medical Coverage of Sports and Recreational Mass Events

Sports­ competitions ­and ­massive ­recreational­ events­ are ­among ­the ­events ­at increased risk­ for ­injuries,­ sudden ­cardiovascular­ complications ­and ­other ­diseases associated ­with intense ­physical­ activity. ­Therefore, ­good ­organization ­of ­health services ­with­ the ­aim of­ providing­ quality ­primary ­health ­care ­and ­triage of participants ­is ­essential. ­The ­organizer ­of ­the ­competition ­or­ recreational ­event ­and the ­chief ­medical ­officer ­must ­act ­in accordance­ with ­Slovenian ­legislation ­that defines­ this ­area. ­However,­ as ­the ­needs ­and working­ conditions ­of ­health ­services ­at such­ events ­in ­the ­legislation ­are ­rather ­vague and ­not ­well-defined,­ good­ medical care ­is ­based ­primarily­ on ­experience ­and ­knowledge of­ all ­who­ are ­involved­ in ­the organization.­ It­ is­ necessary ­to­ know­ the ­specifics ­of ­the sport; ­to ­know­ how­ to ­make a­ risk ­assessment ­of ­diseases ­and ­(specific) ­injuries;­ to ­know the­ participants ­in ­the competition, ­their­ capacity ­and­ health­ status;­ and­ to­ know­ what effects ­can ­a­ specific environment ­(cold, ­heat,­ humidity) ­have ­on ­the ­human­ body­ during­ intense ­physical activity.