Medical examinations a must, for marathons

by Carol Aloysius

Sports Medicine Consultant, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrama, has emphasised that all students taking part in marathons in school sports meets, should undergo both a physical and medical test prior to the event.

He said that even if their medical tests such as ECG, X'rays, show that they are medically fit, it did not necessarily mean they were physically fit to endure the rigours of such a long race covering a distance of between 3-5 kms.

He told the Sunday Observer shortly after 15-year-old Grade 10 Chamod Sathsara from Ambalantota Bolana M.V. died while taking part in the annual school inter-house sportsmeet marathon that Students running the race should be aware of their body's capabilities.

If their muscles tighten or they develop cramps or become de-hydrated, while running, they must get out of the race immediately. Most students in general do not realise the effects by running in this race, while many take part without their bodies being conditioned properly."

In general many students with a few exceptions, train for a few hours before a marathon.

"What they don't realise is that it takes persistent training and running under a trained coach's supervision to get your body properly conditioned for such a big race", he said.

Most marathons were held in the first term of the new school calendar.

"During the holidays preceding the re-opening of schools, students may not have had regular practice and their bodies may not be fit and conditioned for the race since they have only a few weeks for regular training."He said a marathon was an open event in which senior and junior students competed in the same race." That should not be the case. Due to so many deaths during the marathons, it would be better to leave out this event. If students wish to take part in long distance run, they should be assigned separate competent coaches and trained for it."