preparticipation – SEMS-journal

elite sports sports medicine cardiology cardiology monitoring preparticipation

The Athlete’s ECG

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading non-traumatic cause of mortality in athletes under 35, most often due to inherited cardiomyopathies or primary electrical disorders that may remain silent until a fatal event. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most accessible and cost-effective screening tool, yet its early use was hampered by poor specificity and high false-positive rates, mainly due to non-standardized interpretation and limited awareness of physiological adaptations.

Mental health harassment and abuse safeguarding sports and youth preparticipation sports medicine

Screening youth athletes – new SEMS sports pediatric pre-participation questionnaire

n order to possibly better match the needs of youth athletes, the SEMS pre-participation questionnaire has undergone some significant adaptations for this group of patients. One of the changes is the usage of the more personal first-name address in either of the Swiss national languages (German, French, Italian).

sports and youth growth overuse preparticipation spine

Wirbelsäulenprobleme beim jungen Athleten

Participation in physical activity has increased in intensity at a young age. Due to their growth with hormonal changes and influences, young people are prone to spinal problems. It is therefore of great importance that trainers, paediatricians and parents are familiar with the sport-specific movement sequences and take measures to prevent potential problems.

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Sportärztliche Untersuchung (SPU) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen: Was gilt es zu beachten?

The preparticipation screening (PPE) of children and adolescents is basically not different in structure from the SPU for adult athletes. However, there are some special features that will be briefly described in this article. First of all, we are dealing with growing athletes.

sports and youth preparticipation sports medicine team management

Lower limb in the preparticipation examination (PPE)

This article described the clinical examination of the lower extremity during a pre-participation screening in regard of sports ability, presence of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders as well as predisposing risk factors for injuries and prevention. It divided into global static and dynamic testing but also isolated analysis of joint function.

sports injury shoulder & elbow preparticipation

Elbow examination in the athlete

The elbow is a frequently underestimated and commonly misunderstood joint, leading to a considerable amount of clinical problems. A large part of this due to the largely overlapping and often unspecific symptoms of various diseases and injuries. A better understanding of elbow symptoms and the clinical exam of the elbow is the key to unlocking elbow pathology. This paper reviews a comprehensive and concise exam of the elbow that can easily be employed in a primary care sports medicine setting.

preparticipation shoulder & elbow

Shoulder examination in the athlete

The shoulder is the second most commonly injured joint in Sports Traumatology. A thorough clinical examination is mandatory for a strategic therapy regime. A standardized and, importantly, gentle and pain sparing, physical examination not only builts the basis for above mentioned, yet also provides a base in the doctor-patient relationship. The following guideline is meant to aid in these regards. Nonetheless, clinical experience is of utmost importance in combination with a correct physical examination. Hence, if hesitation is present about the diagnosis or treatment, there should be no hesitation in consulting an expert.

sports injury spine preparticipation

Clinical examination in back pain

Back pain has become one of the most frequent sports-related health problems. Up to 80% of the Swiss population experience at least one episode per year up to several times per week. It affects athletes of all age groups and all levels of activity equally. The causes of acute and chronic back pain are plentiful, but can be easily appreciated with a thorough and comprehensive history, concise clinical examination, and adequate imaging.

sports and youth growth maturation preparticipation sports injury

What are the key elements of youth sports orthopaedics examination?

Young competitive athletes are particularly at risk during puberty. Growth plates and apophyses are reduced in their stability by hormone influence. Epiphyses can slip, apophyses can tear out. Therefore, a regular examination of those athletes is important. The examination should focus on muscular asymmetries, or reduced range of motion of a joint. Shortened muscles have to be recon as a risk factor for apophysitis. Dysbalances of the musculature are mainly found in the trunk area. Training plans should be adapted to the increased vulnerability.

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Pre-participation Evaluation for Screening of Health Risks in Leisure and Young Competitive Athletes

There seems to be a lack of consensus among medical associations, professional sports bodies and medical professionals about when pre-participation evaluations (PPE) are indicated and how they should be designed. Although it is generally accepted that the primary purpose of the PPE is the identification of cardiovascular disease and risk factors for sudden cardiac death in competitive athletes, there is an ongoing debate on which methods are most apt in the screening process. Furthermore, the need of PPE has been questioned all together in leisure or hobby athletes.