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Table 6 Risk factors for illness

From: Incidence of Injuries, Illness and Related Risk Factors in Cross-Country Marathon Mountain Biking Events: A Systematic Search and Review

References

Risk factors assessed

Significant risk factors

Griffiths et al. [21]

Food and drink from water station

Drink from camel pack

Other food/drink

Ingestion of mud

Stayed at camp

Drank camp water

Ate food from camp

Attended pasta party

Other food/drink: RR = 1.36 (p = 0.016)

Ingestion of mud: RR = 1.79 (p < 0.0001)

McGrath and Yehl [13]

Not reported

Not reported

Mexia et al. [22]

Cycling on the second race day

Mud in the face or mouth

Use of mudguards

Taking more than 5 h to finish

Cycling ‘on the wheel’

Sex

Hydration equipment and fluid type

Spitting the first sip of the bottle

Use of cycling gloves

Participation in previous year

Using communal changing area

Eating own food

Spitting out mud in mouth or rinsing with water

Falling

Cycling on the second day: RR = 3.08 (p < 0.0001)

Mud in the face: RR = 2.85 (p < 0.0001)

Mud in the mouth: RR = 2.21 (p < 0.0001)

Not having a rear mudguard: RR = 1.87 (p < 0.0001)

Not having a front mudguard: RR = 1.83 (p < 0.0001)

Taking more than 5 h to finish: RR = 1.58 (p < 0.0001)

Cycling ‘on the wheel’: RR = 1.39 (p < 0.0001)

Spitting the first sip of the bottle: RR = 1.56 (p < 0.0001)

Stuart et al. [23]

Specific food types

Use of event hydration facilities

Exposure to mud

Position and completion of race

Drinking from cups at water station: RR = 1.21 (95% CI 1.44–2.88)

Swallowing mud: RR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.50–2.97)

Splashed in mouth with mud: RR = 2.05 (95% CI 1.10–3.82)

Food contaminated with mud: RR = 1.35 (95% CI 1.05–1.74)

Hands covered in mud: RR = 1.82 (95% CI 1.09–3.06)

Mud coverage (on body): RR = 1.61 (95% CI 1.10–2.34)

Drank water/fluids contaminated with mud: RR = 1.37 (95% CI 1.04–1.81)

Finished the race: RR = 3.40 (95% CI 1.36–8.54)

Finished in the middle groups (between 4:00 and 6:39 h): RR = 2.63 (95% CI 1.71–4.04)

Taylor and Ranse [20]

Not reported

Not reported