Are you a multidisciplinary athlete? If you are tired of playing the same old sport and want to switch it up, the modern pentathlon is the perfect opportunity.
The modern pentathlon is a test of speed, endurance, and accuracy. It is a blend of five different sports. The difficulty of the pentathlon naturally narrows down participation, but it is still a competitive Olympic sport.
The modern pentathlon is a risky endeavor. Secure yourself against any accidents while competing in a pentathlon with hazardous sports travel insurance to keep your finances risk free.
Travel Insurance for Modern Pentathlon
You might have to travel to find the right track or to be coached under the right trainer. That means that any treatment of training injuries while you travel will be much more expensive. Most standard travel insurance plans don’t cover the increased risk of hazardous sports like a modern pentathlon. But if you secure yourself with hazardous sports travel insurance, then you won't have to worry about any covered medical bills.
Modern Pentathlon Basics
The original pentathlon was a military sport. In the ancient Olympics, soldiers competed against each other in five successive sports to win the pentathlon. Though the events are different in the modern pentathlon, the logic stayed the same. Fencing, swimming, horseback riding, running, and pistol-shooting were all activities that a cavalry officer was expected to perform in his line of duty. So, from 1912 to the 1950s, the pentathlon followed this model.
The pentathlon was originally a five-day event, but then it was made a three-day event and eventually a one-day event in 1996. Today, the events in a modern pentathlon include fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running.
Performing all five events back-to-back can lead to injuries, as the tight schedule increases the strain on the athletes. Before you participate in a pentathlon, you have to train your body throughout the year to condition it to such prolonged exercises. This will reduce the risks of acute injuries and overstrain when you compete in a modern pentathlon.
The horses in the track event are introduced to the riders only 20 minutes before the event. Though these horses are superbly trained, they will be unfamiliar to you—and you will be unfamiliar to them, as well. This potentially increases the risks of you falling off your steed if a jump goes wrong. Both fencing and equestrian show jumping should be performed with full protective gear, even while in practice.
If you want to compete for the pentathlon, get a professional trainer. This will reduce the chances of injuries related to overexertion. The trainer can make sure that you don't push your body too hard, too fast.
Risks of Modern Pentathlon
Most pentathlon athletes suffer from overuse injuries. The shoulders, back, groin, and knees are the most affected parts of the body due to excessive training. Overuse injuries like back pain, rotator cuff impingement, and patellofemoral pain syndrome are common occurrences. Acute injuries like ankle sprains are also regular problems. There are also individual reports of severe spinal or head injuries and fractures from falling off a horse. These require immediate and intensive medical care.
You cannot do away with the risks of the modern pentathlon. But you can minimize the financial impact your injuries can have by securing yourself with adventure sports travel insurance.