Over the past several decades, wilderness, adventure, endurance, and extreme events have seen a surge in popularity both in the United States and around the world, with increasing number of events and participants each year. Events often occur at environmental extremes involving hot and cold climates, variable weather, water conditions, and high altitude. Events are becoming increasingly more challenging and involve remote locations that increase the potential for injury, illness, and worsening of existing medical conditions. Wilderness sports and adventures combine the traditional risks of physical activity and exertion with the remoteness and exposure associated with backcountry environments.
The purpose of this Wilderness Medical Society–American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (WMS-AMSSM) collaboration is to outline an appropriate process for evaluation of wilderness athletes and adventurers, to factor comorbidities and unique event and environment demands into the preparticipation evaluation (PPE), and to advise on education, prevention, and training specific to these unique individuals.
A discussion focused on evaluation rather than “clearance” for sport in the typical PPE fashion, and important issues such as risk assessment and tolerance consultation as well as shared decision making are reviewed.
See more at: http://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/toc/2015/09000