Schwellnus, Martin PeterSwanevelder, SonjaJordaan, EsmeDerman, WayneJanse van Rensburg, Dina Christina2018-01-152018-05Schwellnus, M.P., Swanevelder, S., Jordaan, E. et al. 2018, 'Underlying chronic disease, medication use, history of running injuries and being more experienced runner are independent factors associated with exercise-associated muscle cramping: a cross-sectional study in 15778 distance runners', Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 289-298.1050-642X (print)1536-3724 (online)10.1097/JSM.0000000000000456http://hdl.handle.net/2263/63531BACKGROUND : Exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) is a significant medical complication in distance runners, yet factors associated with EAMC are poorly documented. OBJECTIVE : To document risk factors associated with EAMC in runners. DESIGN : Cross-sectional study. SETTING : Two ocean races (21.1 km, and 56 km). PARTICIPANTS : Fifteen thousand seven hundred seventy-eight race entrants. METHODS : Participants completed a prerace medical history screening tool including: training, cardiovascular disease (CVD), risk factors for, and symptoms of CVD, history of diseases affecting major organ systems, cancer, allergies, medication use, and running injury. Runners were grouped as having a history of EAMC (hEAMC group = 2997) and a control group (Control = 12 781). RESULTS : Independent factors associated with a higher prevalence ratio (PR) of hEAMC were any risk factor for CVD (PR = 1.16; P = 0.0002), symptoms of CVD (PR = 2.38; P < 0.0001), respiratory disease (PR = 1.33; P < 0.0001), gastrointestinal disease (PR = 1.86; P < 0.0001), nervous system or psychiatric disease (PR = 1.51; P < 0.0001), kidney or bladder disease, (PR = 1.60; P < 0.0001), haematological or immune disease (PR = 1.54; P = 0.0048), cancer (PR = 1.34; P = 0.0031), allergies (PR = 1.37; P < 0.0001), regular medication use (PR = 1.80; P < 0.0001), statin use (PR = 1.26; P = 0.0127), medication use during racing (PR = 1.88; P < 0.0001), running injury (PR = 1.66; P < 0.0001), muscle injury (PR = 1.82; P < 0.0001), tendon injury (PR = 1.62; P < 0.0001), and runners in the experienced category (PR = 1.22; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION : Novel risk factors associated with EAMC in distance runners were underlying chronic disease, medication use, a history of running injuries, and experienced runners. These factors must be identified as possible associations, and therefore be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of EAMC.en© 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 289-298, 2018. doi : 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000456.Exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC)Running injuryMedication useAllergiesCancerHistory of diseasesTrainingCardiovascular disease (CVD)Chronic diseaseExerienced runnersPostprint Article