© 2008 The Auto-Cycle Union Ltd Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Designed by Zarr FAQs about medical matters Some of your frequently asked questions on medical matters relating to competition licence applications are answered below. Subjects covered are:-  Medical Reports Eyesight Reports Colour Blindness Hearing Epilepsy Heart Problems ADHD and Ritalin Anti-Doping Alcohol  Spleen Removal Disability 1. Medical Reports Question: I’m applying for an ACU licence but because of previous health problems, I’ve been told by the ACU Licence Department that I will have to have a medical. Where do I go to get this done? Answer: The medical report can be issued by any fully registered Doctor. If you have had serious illnesses in the past, the ACU Medical Panel would prefer a medical to be done by your own GP (General Practitioner) as they are the ones best placed to assess your medical fitness for motorcycle competition, mainly because they will have full details of your previous medical history. You may find your local motorcycle club have a friendly Medical Officer, attached to them, who does this type of examination and if you ask your local club secretary, they may be able to tell you who is available. You may find that the test done by a doctor other than your GP takes longer and is more detailed because of course they won’t have the advantage of knowing your full previous history and of having seen you before, as would be the case with your own GP. The prices of a medical also vary considerably, but are usually in the region of £40-80 if done by your own GP and the rate is equally variable from nothing upwards, if done by an enthusiastic sympathetic motorcycling doctor! If the doctor who does your medical is unsure of your medical fitness, they may wish to refer you to the ACU Medical Panel. This may require an additional examination by a doctor appointed by the ACU Medical Panel which would of course involve you with an additional fee. You will find that most doctors will try and produce a favourable medical report for you but there are some conditions and previous illnesses which will understandably debar you from having a licence, a policy designed to protect not only yourself but your fellow competitors, spectators and officials as well as the good reputation of the sport. 2. Eyesight Reports Queston: I have a lazy left eye with limited vision but my eyesight with glasses seems to be normal. Is there a problem passing the eyesight requirement for an ACU licence? Answer: The eyesight standards for an ACU and indeed an FIM International licence are both the same. An eyesight report is required on your first application for a road race licence (excluding sprint, drag, hill climb and pocket bike) and thereafter every three years until the age of 55 when it is required annually. The minimum eyesight requirement with or without glasses or contact lenses is 6/6 with both eyes open together. This effectively means that you have to be able to see at 6 metres what a normal eye would see at 6 metres but note that this is with or without glasses/lenses. Your eyesight without glasses or lenses might in fact, be very poor but as long as it is normal (6/6) with lenses or glasses in place with both your eyes open together, then this is the accepted standard. This is why you need to go to an optician or a doctor to have your eyes officially tested. Obviously, if you have bad vision in one eye or in fact, have only one eye, then this might restrict your ability to assess distances using normal binocular (i.e. both eyes together) vision. If you were to lose the sight in one eye, then you would not be allowed to hold a licence for a minimum of three years, except for trials. However, if you have always had poor vision in one eye, then as long as you are able to see 120 degrees along the horizontal meridian then your eyesight will be OK. This means that if you imagine one third of a circle (120 degrees) then you ought to be able to see everything within that visual angle with no defects within the middle 20 degrees. Most people with really bad vision in one eye have learnt to compensate accordingly and would be able to meet this requirement. 3. Colour Blindness Question: When my optician tested me with a special book called “Ishi something” she said I was red/green colour blind. Does this prevent me from having a licence? Answer: Not necessarily. 10-15% of the male population have what we call red/green colour weakness. This means that the very sensitive Ishihara colour plates in the book will show you are unable to detect subtle differences between red and green. Whilst failure would prevent you from being an airline pilot, it does not prevent you having an ACU or FIM licence as long as you are able to distinguish the primary colours of red and green. As a red flag is normally very red and a green flag normally very green, even if you are red/green colour weak, you would not normally have a problem in detecting the difference. Even if you are red/green colour weak, you would still be able to tell the difference between blue, yellow, black and white flags. Just remind the optician or doctor doing your test that examination using Ishihara plates is too sensitive for our purposes and that you just need to be able to tell the difference between basic primary red and green. 4. Hearing Question: My hearing is impaired and I normally wear a small digital hearing aid, does this stop me from having a licence? Answer: A licence can be issued to an applicant with impaired hearing but not to an applicant with a disturbance of balance. The distinction is made because there are some illnesses which will interfere with hearing and balance which would debar you from having a licence. If you are granted a licence and you have impaired hearing which cannot be corrected, then you must be accompanied to a riders briefing by a person with normal hearing who can communicate the information either by signing or in writing to you. It is also a requirement to wear a clearly visible tag that identifies you as being hearing impaired so this can be seen by the marshals and medical personnel in the case of an accident. 5. Epilepsy Question: I was diagnosed as having epilepsy many years ago and I take tablets. I have had no fits since starting the medication. Can I apply for a motocross licence? Answer: The ACU medical panel have always felt, as indeed do the MSA (Motor Sports Association) who issue licences to race cars, that the DVLA (the issuer of licences for ordinary road use) requirements for a Group 2 vehicle licence, is a reasonable criteria to use for licence applications from epileptics to participate in competitive motorsport. These state…..”Regulations require a driver to remain free of epileptic attacks for at least 10 years without anticonvulsant medication in that time.” However the MSA regulations changed slightly in 2002 and now state that for “speed events a person with epilepsy may be considered for a competition licence providing they can show that they have not had a fit for 5 years whether on or off medication.” An MSA speed event is……. “an event in which cars run individually… ” and includes Sprints & Hill Climbs, 2CV and Minicross, Autocross, Clubcross, Rallycross and Drag races. The ACU medical panel decided this was a reasonable compromise and agreed that for motorcycle Sprints, Hill Climbs and Trials only, (the equivalent of the MSA “individually”), if an epileptic was fit free for 5 years whether on medication or not, their case could be considered by the medical panel. This would not include Enduro as other competitors are on the course at the same time. The FIM Medical Code remains rather more blunt and states…..”a licence will not be issued if the applicant suffers from epilepsy.” So the answer to the original question is ….NO, a motocross licence cannot be issued but if you have been fit free with or without medication for 5 years you can apply for a sprint, hill climb or trials licence. 6. Heart Problems Question: I am applying for an ACU Novice Licence but I had a heart attack a few years ago, does this stop me from getting a licence? Answer: Understandably, the ACU as a regulatory body, have a Duty of Care to ensure that competitors taking part in motorsport are medically fit. The last thing we want for either the competitor or ourselves is for a rider to drop dead from a heart attack taking part in competition! For somebody who has or had any sort of heart problem, the ACU Medical Panel would request a full medical examination and report by the applicant’s own General Practitioner and may also, for some heart diseases, require the applicant to have a normal exercise ECG. This is not like a normal ECG which is done with electrodes on your chest in a resting state, you would have to be on a treadmill exercising whilst the examination is done. This is the same sort of test you would have to have if you were applying for a Group 2 driving licence after a heart attack (myocardial infarct). Unfortunately it is difficult for your GP to justify you having an exercise ECG, as an NHS patient, for a licence application to race motorcycles, although obviously if you have already had one done as an NHS patient to get a Group 2 driving license back and it was normal, then that examination will do for the FIM/ACU licence application as well. Your own GP will be able to tell you where you can get an exercise ECG done, usually at your local NHS or BUPA hospital and the report, which is the only part the ACU would require, is normally given by a Consultant Cardiologist. Unfortunately, the price of one of these tests varies enormously across the country and can be anything from £150 to £450. It’s possible your GP might know of the cheapest option in your area but the ACU are unable to recommend specific cardiologist centres, so shop around. 7. ADHD and Ritalin Question: My 10 year old son wants to compete in Youth Motocross but he has been diagnosed as having ADHD for which he takes Ritalin every day, does this present a problem? Answer: Yes, I’m afraid it does. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is diagnosed and treated by a Consultant Psychiatrist or Psychologist. One of the treatments, Ritalin, is a CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant called Methylphenidate and is prohibited for use in competition by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency). Since 1st July 2004 competing motorcyclists in all countries around the world have to comply with the FIM Anti-Doping Code based on WADA’s requirements. Ritalin and other ADHD treatments, Dexedrine and Concerta XL, are therefore banned as a medical therapy for ADHD in competition but can be taken outside of competition. However some children can be so badly affected by ADHD they would be unable to function normally without taking their medication all the time. There is a newer ADHD therapy called ‘Atomoxatine’ which, although also a CNS stimulant, is not at the moment banned in or out of competition and could be an alternative for children with ADHD who wish to compete but need medication all the time. You must take appropriate advice from the Psychiatrist or Psychologist who controls your medication. Understandably, the ACU cannot supply a licence to someone who admits to taking a WADA banned substance of this type, when competing. If you were to be tested for drugs at an event, you would be allowed to submit a form called a Therapeutic Use Exemption at the time of testing or within 5 days. This TUE is a request for permission to use the banned substance……. BUT this would not be granted to somebody taking a CNS stimulant, because of its effects, together with its side effects. For instance, it would be like granting a licence to somebody with severe backache who required injections of morphine or heroin to control the pain!! Any child applying for a competition licence therefore who is on Ritalin, Dexedrine or Concerta XL for ADHD will need two things, a medical report from their GP to say they are medically fit to have a competition licence and they will also need to submit a letter from their Consultant Psychiatrist or Psychologist to say they are only taking the banned substance out of competition and not when competing. (Revised 09.03.05) 8. Anti-Doping Question: I have asthma and use an inhaler prescribed by my doctor. I also suffer from nasal congestion, and over the year will squirt various products up my nose which contain something called Ephedrine, which I understand, is what they call a ‘banned substance’. What should I do? Answer: The ACU and the FIM are committed to complying with an Anti-Doping policy. The list of substances prohibited (banned) by WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, is quite large and of course the whole subject is complicated and fraught with various problems! The taking of drugs to enhance performance is more often associated with athletics and swimming: however, you, as a rider, have a duty of care to make sure any medication you are taking from your own GP would not give a positive urine result if you were to be tested by International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM) at an International event or UK Sport at all other levels. There is also provision at any event, for the Race Director, Clerk of the Course etc to request a “Special Medical Examination” on a rider. This would be carried out by the CMO or a designated event doctor, and might include urine testing with a special drugs screening card. If you buy medicines for coughs, colds etc across the Chemist’s counter, you must always ask the pharmacist if it is permitted in competitive sport. You can also check the status of individual prescribed medicines yourself on the UK Sport website: www.uksport.gov/did/  To check the list of “banned” and “allowed” substances in the ACU Handbook please click here. You should always discuss your medication with your own GP or an event doctor. The penalties for a positive test involve severe sanctions and would make it very difficult for you to continue in motorcycle sport. In your particular case, it’s more than likely your inhaler for asthma contains Salbutamol, a prohibited substance and the Ephedrine for your nose is also a prohibited substance. If you are a competitor holding an FIM International Licence, then you will need to submit a form completed by your doctor called “Therapeutic Use Exemptions” (TUE). There are two types of this form, the first is for an “Abbreviated Process”, which covers the substances used in inhalers for the treatment of asthma. Providing the form is correctly completed; then receipt of the form, by the FIM, is equivalent to giving permission for you to continue using your inhaler. If you are an elite National competitor, then you will only need to submit an abbreviated TUE form to the FIM, AFTER you have applied for an annual or a one event International FIM or UEM Championship Licence. If you are a National competitor who would not be applying for such an International licence, or indeed, just a novice, intermediate novice or clubman, then you still need to comply with the FIM Anti-Doping Code. In fact you have already agreed to do this by signing your ACU licence application form where, under section 8, there was a paragraph “Acknowledgement and Agreement of the FIM Anti-Doping Code (Appendix 2)”. It does not do to become complacent about taking prohibited products as there is still the possibility, at the lower levels of the sport, that you could be tested at an event by UK Sport. If you are selected at an event for a urine test and you are using an inhaler for asthma, then at the time of the test or within 5 days, you will have to submit the appropriate abbreviated TUE form for approval. The Ephedrine that you are taking for a blocked nose is looked at separately by completing the second type of TUE form, known as the “Standard Application Form”. This is longer than the abbreviated one and requires more detail from your GP. This standard application form has to be submitted to the FIM TUE Board for their consideration. One of the points they will make, if you are taking a prohibited substance, is to ask if there is any other product which you could take instead. You should discuss this with your doctor rather than apply straight away for a Therapeutic Use Exemption to take a substance which is not allowed. Sometimes a TUE can be refused and it’s simpler if you don’t take the prohibited substance in the first place. As a rider using a licence issued by a regulatory body, you have a duty of care to comply with Anti-Doping regulations. This requires you to carefully check the medication you are on and to avoid many of the health supplements and similar products which could also, unknown to you, contain prohibited substances. 9. Alcohol Question: My mate and I, when we go racing, will usually spend the night before a practice or race day in the pub and he keeps trying to persuade me to stop drinking early in the evening in case we’re breathalysed the next day. What is the ACU’s position on alcohol? Answer: In motorcycle sport, the potential problems from drinking alcohol are the same as if you were drink driving on the highway. At some events the organisers may perform random breath tests for alcohol. This is done by a standard breath test system prior to practises and races and the random tests are conducted by Nominated Alcohol Control Officers using an “Alcolmeter”, giving an instant result, similar to those used by the Police at the roadside. A positive result, or refusal to undergo a test, will exclude the rider from that event and they will also be reported to the ACU and/or FIM for further disciplinary action. The permitted level of alcohol in the breath is ZERO. Obviously, if competitors drink alcohol during an evening, there could still be enough alcohol in the body to give a positive breath test result the next day. Half a pint of beer contains one or more units of alcohol as does a shot of spirits. The body usually gets rid of alcohol at the rate of one unit an hour, so, if you have several pints over a few hours, you will almost certainly blow a positive test the next morning. The level of alcohol in the blood and therefore the breath test result, is not affected by sleep, and you are therefore strongly advised not to drink alcohol on the evening before a practice. 10. Spleen Removal Question: Following a bike accident a few years ago, I had to have my spleen removed. Does this present a problem if I apply for my ACU Licence again? Answer: Sometimes, following a direct blow to the abdomen involving the spleen, the organ is irreparably damaged and needs to be removed. Whilst not an essential organ it plays an important part in the body's resistance to infection, especially in children. You may therefore be at an increased risk of severe infection depending on your age and if you have other diseases. Although your risk of infection is highest in the first two years after having the spleen removed it stays high for the rest of your life. Therefore doctors, dentists and other health care workers including the doctors at an event, should always be told if you have no spleen and if you are on long term antibiotics and it's always best to wear a medic alert bracelet or necklace. You should also discuss the situation with your own GP as he will need to see you as soon as you develop the first sign of an infection, such as fever or chills, sore throat, unexplained cough, abdominal pain and may also want to arrange for you to be vaccinated against various infections. If you plan to travel to remote areas, or if for some reason a doctor will not be readily available, you should carry a supply of antibiotics with you to take as the first sign of infection.  There is no reason for you to be refused an ACU competition licence following removal of your spleen but the medical panel would expect your application to include completion of the medical report section by your own GP to say you are otherwise medically fit to compete. 11. Disability Question: Although I am a registered disabled person I have a keen interest in motorcycle sport. I rode a bike before I became disabled / I have my own adapted road bike and would like to take up competitive motorcycling. Would I be able to get an ACU competition licence? Answer: The Auto-Cycle Union has a policy of encouraging and supporting the motorcycling ambitions of anyone with a disability and making motorcycle sport an activity that is genuinely open to anyone who wishes to take part. The ACU has a framework of requirements and assessments to ensure you can enjoy the sport in whatever capacity and to whatever level you are able. Because of the huge variation in possible disabilities, everybody who applies for an ACU licence is treated and looked at individually. The first thing to do is to complete an ACU licence application form which you can download from the licence & forms section of this website. On the form you have to complete a medical declaration. If you do have a disability of any description then you will also need to ask your General Practitioner to fill out the medical report section of the licence application to indicate whether or not they feel you are medically fit to compete. If they are unsure from the nature of your disability whether you are able to compete or not then they are able to tick a box asking for referral to the ACU Medical Panel. Some disabilities may not cause a problem for competitive motorcycling. People with disabilities are understandably and commendably motiviated to try and perform as well as an able bodied person. However, the desire to take part can sometimes cloud the judgement and it's important you should discuss your own disability and your wish to compete with your GP and/or Hospital Specialist, whose advice on the feasibility and wisdom of your competing should not be ignored. In considering your application, any supporting written evidence that you can supply will help the Medical Panel better consider your case. For instance, if you have lost an arm in a previous accident and have an adapted road going bike which allows you to ride with only one arm and you are really committed to competing, giving the ACU supporting written evidence of your performance at track days would be very helpful. Clearly there are some disabilities which would preclude an individual from competitive sport, either because of a practical reason or because of the increased injury potential for the rider and/or fellow competitors/spectators. In making a decision as to the suitability of a candidate, the ACU will take all of these issues into consideration. Every applicant is looked at individually and if you are not sure about whether you would be able to compete but did not want to complete a licence application form initially, then write to the ACU Licence Department explaining in detail the nature of your disability and they will let you know if it is worth you making an application. Once we have assessed your application, if there is no medical reason why you cannot give it a go, then you will be asked to attend a sport specific riding assessment where you will be observed by an ACU Assessor from the discipline of the sport in which you intend to participate. You may be asked to find a venue for the test and cover any charges that may arise, although the ACU will cover the expenses of the assessor. If the assessor feels that you have demonstrated full and proper control of your machine, they will sign off your application and forward it to the ACU Licence Department for the issuing of your licence. The ACU, as the regulatory body for UK motorcycle sport, understandably have a duty of care to make sure you will not be a danger to your fellow competitors as well as to yourself. If you have any questions concerning this process please contact the ACU on 01788 566400.