What are you supposed to do, flip the rear wheel around and then break 10 links off your chain?
Pretty much, however, it does help if you are running a quick release chain, with two quick releases installed. A competent rider can swap the back wheel, adjust chain length and get going again in less than an hour:-)
Seriously, though, I have often wondered the same thing. The only answer I can come up with is I don't know.
Hope that is a help.