This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Preparticipation screening for sport

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Pre-participation screening for athletes engaging in competitive sport

  • GPs are increasingly asked to complete medicals for sporting events that enable patients to participate in sport

  • although screening is not mandatory by law in the UK, it has become an increasing requirement for some events

  • used appropriately, screening can detect causes of cardiovascular complications (even Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)) during sport

  • some feel that the cost of widespread screening to detect such abnormalities is prohibitive

  • the level of screening undertaken varies hugely from country to country and from sport to sport. In Italy, a good medical history, physical examination and 12 lead ECG are compulsory by law for participants in competitive sport, with the possibility of echo if indicated

  • Corrado et al (1) have published a consensus statement on pre-participation screening for athletes engaging in competitive sport

  • intensive or prolonged training produces physiological changes that produce a wider range of normal in athletes
    • this can lead to difficulties for a doctor caring for these patients due to difficulty differentiating what is normal in athletes, from what is potentially pathological
    • it can also cause problems for athletes who may receive an inappropriate diagnosis leading to unnecessary investigations and possible withdrawal from the event until clarification of the diagnosis can be sought
    • if further investigations are performed it establishes 'normal' baseline levels for the athlete if new symptoms occur at a later time

Contributors:

  • Dr Andrew Murray, Dr Duncan Goodall
    • Marathon Medical Services
  • Prof Hillis
    • Professor of Cardiology and Exercise Medicine, University of Glasgow

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.