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Preparticipation Evaluation for Athletics

Increasing participation in physical activities and sports has been noted in all age groups. The increase is encouraging from a health promotion, disease prevention, and sociologic perspective. As a result of the increased participation, sports-related medical problems are being recognized with increasing frequency. Injuries and sudden unexpected deaths resulting from physical activity are being described with increasing frequency. Injuries are especially likely to occur as previous nonathletes begin involvement without adequate preparation.

The increased interest in exercise, sports, and health-related activities involves children as well as adults. Organized sports for preschool children now exist in most communities. Estimates suggest that more than 20 million children are involved in community-based sports programs. High school sports are no longer restricted to a relatively few male-predominated sports. More than 30 sports are now approved for male participation and 27 for female participation. The concept of the female athlete continues to change as each new accomplishment plateau is achieved and increasing numbers of young women become involved.

Pediatricians are now faced with questions and issues that have only recently surfaced as pediatric problems. Young children are involved in "adult" sports (ie, marathons, adolescent olympic-level gymnastics) in which overuse injuries are likely to occur. These injuries may interfere with a child's ability to enjoy sports later in life.

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				P. J. Carek and M. Futrell Athletes' View of the Preparticipation Physical Examination: Attitudes Toward Certain Health Screening Questions Arch Fam Med, July 1, 1999; 8(4): 307 - 312. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Maron, P. D. Thompson, J. C. Puffer, C. A. McGrew, W. B. Strong, P. S. Douglas, L. T. Clark, M. J. Mitten, M. H. Crawford, D. L. Atkins, et al. Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening of Competitive Athletes: A Statement for Health Professionals From the Sudden Death Committee (Clinical Cardiology) and Congenital Cardiac Defects Committee (Cardiovascular Disease in the Young), American Heart Association Circulation, August 15, 1996; 94(4): 850 - 856. [Full Text]