Spectator medicine at an international mega sports event: Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
10.1186/s12199-020-00914-0
- Author:
Takuya TAJIMA
1
;
Yuji TAKAZAWA
2
;
Mutsuo YAMADA
2
;
Takuro MORIYA
2
;
Haruhiko SATO
2
;
Junichiro HIGASHIHARA
2
;
Yukimasa TOYAMA
2
;
Etsuo CHOSA
3
;
Akihiko NAKAMURA
2
;
Ichiro KONO
2
Author Information
1. Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee, Tokyo, Japan. kingt2@hotmail.com.
2. Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee, Tokyo, Japan.
3. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Medicine of Sensory and Motor Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Heat stroke;
Patient presentation rate;
Rugby World Cup;
Spectator medicine;
Wet bulb globe temperature
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data*;
Anniversaries and Special Events;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data*;
Female;
Football;
Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data*;
Humans;
Infant;
Infant, Newborn;
Japan;
Male;
Mass Behavior;
Middle Aged;
Retrospective Studies;
Young Adult
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2020;25(1):72-72
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is one of the biggest international mega sports events in the world. This study was conducted to identify and evaluate the volume, nature, and severity of spectator medical care in the stadiums of 12 venues across Japan during RWC 2019.
METHOD:This was a retrospective review of medical records from spectator medical rooms of 45 official matches of RWC 2019 between September 20 and November 2, 2019. All patients in the stadium who visited the spectator medical room and were transferred to a hospital were included. The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) value at the kick-off time of each match, the number of visits to the spectator medical room, and the number of transfers to a hospital were reviewed and analyzed. The patient presentation rate (PPR) was calculated per 10,000 attendees. Severity categories were defined as mild or severe. Mild cases were considered non-life threatening requiring minimal medical intervention, and severe cases required transport to a hospital.
RESULT:The total number of visits to the spectator medical room was 449 with a PPR of 2.63. Most cases (91.5%) were mild in severity. The PPR was significantly higher for the matches held with a WBGT over 25 °C than for the matches under 21 °C (PPR 4.27 vs 2.04, p = 0.04). Thirty-eight cases were transferred to a hospital by ambulance; the PPR was 0.22. The most common reasons for transfer to the hospital were heat illness and fracture/dislocation, at a rate of 15.8% each. The incidence rate of cardiopulmonary arrest per 10,000 attendees was 0.0059 during RWC 2019.
CONCLUSION:Preparation and provision of appropriate medical service for spectators is a key factor for mass-gathering events. During RWC 2019, the majority (91.5%) of patients who sought medical attention did so for minor complaints, which were easily assessed and managed. On the other hand, a higher WBGT situation contributes significantly to an increased PPR (< 21 versus > 25, 2.04 versus 4.27, p = 0.04). Careful medical preparation, management, and development of public education programs for higher WBGT situations will be required in the future for similar international mega sports events.
