Risk of medical events in a supervised health and fitness facility.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective epidemiological study examined the incidence of medical events during participation in a supervised health and fitness facility at a major medical center.


METHODS
Participants consisted of 7725 members of a corporate health and fitness program. Risk was defined by number of medical incidents per total number of event episodes multiplied by the average time of activity per episode (1000 participant-hours).


RESULTS
The first 2.5 yr of surveillance revealed 15 reported medically significant events (.048 per 1000 participant-hours). There were two medical emergencies yielding a rate of .0063 per 1000 participant-hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support the position that the expected health benefits of participation in a physical activity program at a supervised health and fitness facility outweigh the risks of such participation.
Morrey
M A
MA
Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center, Division of Preventive Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Morrey. Michael@mayo.edu
Hensrud
D D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology