Conmoción en Londres por la repentina muerte de una joven durante la maratón 2012
La mayoría de los accidentes que ocurren durante una carrera son de poca importancia. La deshidratación es el mayor problema que tienen que afrontar los corredores en un día caluroso. Por eso, es aconsejable prepararse para la carrera con antelación.
La muerte solo ocurre en casos puntuales. La mujer de 30 años que se desmayó cerca de la línea de meta de la maratón de Londres de 2012 es el onceavo participante que ha muerto desde que empezó la maratón en 1981.Normalmente, estas muertes están relacionadas con problemas cardiacos. Aunque todavía no se sabe las causas de la muerte de la mujer, se cree que puede estar relacionado con dichos problemas.
Por lo que es aconsejable calentar bien el día del evento y si siente dolor o molestias durante la maratón es mejor parar.
30-year-old woman dies near the finish of 2012 London marathon ( April 22 2012)
Running a marathon puts immense strain on the body. But just how dangerous for your health can it be? What are the main health risks?
Everybody was shocked when an apparently fit young woman collapsed and died near the end of this year's London marathon. It is hoped that the autopsy will reveal the causes of this tragedy.
Luckily, most of the casualties that occur during a race concern minor injuries, like sprains and strains. Dehydration is the biggest problem that marathon runners have to overcome. In a hard race on a hot and humid day, up to four litres of fluid can be lost through sweating and exhalation, so it is important for runners to keep well hydrated.
There are many other things you can do to prepare for the race. Obviously, it is advisable to follow a training plan in the months before the race to get yourself fit.
Moreover, a great many injuries can be avoided by warming up and doing stretches immediately before the race. During the 2012 London Marathon, 4,923 runners and members of the public needed assistance, but most of these consultations were for minor concerns. In 2011, 6,000 needed help - many for heat exhaustion due to the hot weather on the race day.
What about fatalities?
Fatalities are very rare. The 30-year-old woman who collapsed close to the finish line of the 2012 London Marathon is the 11th participant to die since the event began in 1981 - and the first woman. Professor Sanjay Sharma, medical director for The Virgin London Marathon, said seven of these deaths had since been linked to heart conditions like blocked heart blood vessels or a structural congenital problem with the heart.
He said: "Until now, these deaths have occurred solely in males. All were aged over 40 and out of those seven whose deaths were linked to heart problems, five had furred arteries - a sign of coronary artery disease. "Two had something called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a problem that affects the structure of the heart." Another man died due to drinking too much water - a condition doctors call exercise-associated hyponatremia - and two died from brain haemorrhage. Prof Sharma said: "We are still waiting for the postmortem on the young woman, but her death is likely to be due to a heart problem I should think.
"I was there at the arrest and was deeply shaken. To see a 30-year-old who is amazingly athletic die is so counterintuitive."
Judy O'Sullivan, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Events such as the marathon are a big physical undertaking so it is important that you train in advance, ensuring that you build up to the event steadily and safely. On the day of your event, remember to warm up, pace yourself and to rest if you feel pain or discomfort.
"Sadly, in very rare circumstances some people will experience unforeseen complications, usually connected to a pre-existing condition. But for the overwhelming majority of people the health benefits of exercising outweigh the risks.
"We would always advise anyone who has any concerns to visit their GP before taking part."
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