The collaboration aims to establish new standards for on-site medical care using blood analysis and ultrasound systems during athletic competitions.
Siemens Healthineers has partnered with World Athletics to deploy point-of-care testing and diagnostic imaging at endurance events, aiming to enhance athlete safety and establish new medical care standards for what organizers call “endurance medicine.”
The collaboration uses Siemens Healthineers’ epoc Blood Analysis System and Acuson Sequoia ultrasound system to provide immediate diagnostic capabilities at athletic events, reducing the need for hospital transfers and enabling faster treatment decisions.
“The benefit of point-of-care testing is being able to care for people in need wherever they are, as soon as possible, to make the biggest impact,” says Bob Stowers, head of point-of-care diagnostics for Siemens Healthineers, in a release.
Endurance events such as marathons, racewalking, and trail running present unique health risks that require medical teams to deliver specialized care in sometimes remote locations. Traditionally, athletes needing diagnostic tests would be transported to hospitals, but this approach can delay care decisions during large-scale events.
On-Site Testing Reduces Hospital Transfers
Siemens Healthineers supported medical teams at three major global events in 2025, providing blood point-of-care testing and diagnostic imaging capabilities. At the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, the Acuson Sequoia ultrasound system was used to address musculoskeletal injuries among more than 1,200 elite athletes from approximately 130 countries.
The portable ultrasound system’s availability at competition venues reduced hospital transfer requirements, minimized diagnostic wait times, and allowed for more discreet, athlete-centered care. Musculoskeletal injuries, including strains, tears, and contusions, are common in high-intensity events like sprints, hurdles, and jumps, requiring rapid response for effective management.
During the World Athletics Championship Tokyo 25, researchers conducted a study on elite athlete heat adaptation and hydration strategies using the epoc system to analyze blood samples for critical markers including electrolytes, lactate, pH, and creatinine. The study, conducted with sports science faculty from Waseda University in Saitama, Japan, aimed to better address physiological challenges athletes face in extreme conditions.
Evidence Generation for Medical Best Practices
“Having point-of-care devices on site is a game changer to provide better care and treatment during endurance events by responding faster and more effectively to heat-related and hydration emergencies,” says Dr Stéphane Bermon, director of the health and science department at World Athletics, in a release. “This evidence generation will help support our effort to share best medical practice and standardize point-of-care testing across the world-renowned endurance events we support.”
Results from the Tokyo study are expected in the coming months. The research aims to improve athlete knowledge and contribute to advancing care standards for endurance medical teams.
“We look forward to publishing our findings to improve athletes’ knowledge and contributing to the next iteration of care endurance medical teams provide for these extraordinary athletes,” says Dr Yuri Hosokawa, faculty of sport sciences at Waseda University’s Safety and Performance Optimization Laboratory, in a release.
Photo caption: epoc Blood Analysis System
Photo credit: Siemens Healthineers
