Aim Of The Study: In Switzerland, screening concepts for the prevention of sports-associated sudden cardiac death are still insufficiently established in the large group of competitive athletes who are not integrated in an Olympic- or other high-level squad. The aim of the present study was to objectively determine the current situation in this particular group of athletes concerning cardiac pre-competition screening and define specific features of an "ideal" Swiss screening concept. Based on these data, the feasibility and validity was tested by the implementation of an exemplary local screening programme.

Methods: A standardised questionnaire was completed by 1,047 competitive athletes of different ages and gender. The individual, sports-specific profile of an athlete and furthermore, the personal attitude towards and the vision of a "perfect" cardiac screening were assessed. Based on the results, an exemplary local screening programme for competitive athletes was implemented at the "Academic Sports Association Zurich" (ASVZ) in Zurich, Switzerland and evaluated 1 year after its introduction.

Results: Only 9% of the 1,047 interviewed competitive athletes (aged 13 to 64 years; median age 22 years, SD = 5.87) had previously undergone a cardiac screening. Only 47% of the interviewed competitive athletes expressed their interest to undergo a cardiac screening at all. Male and older athletes showed a significantly higher acceptance rate for the screening programme than women and younger athletes. All athletes accepted to bear the expenses for the baseline screening programme, adapted to international standards (minimal accepted fee of 60 Swiss Francs). Almost half of the athletes (49.2%) preferred easy accessibility to a sports cardiologist (max. distance of 10 kilometres). The exemplary local screening programme proved to be feasible and successful. However, only 30% of the 102 screened individuals were female and most of the athletes (80%) who made use of the screening had a specific concern or symptom (selection bias). A total of 5 athletes (4.9%) were, at least temporarily, declared as not eligible for competitive sports due to a relevant cardiac pathology.

Conclusion: The fact that only 9% of the interviewed competitive athletes had previously undergone cardiac screening is alarming, but underlines the necessity and urgency of implementing a cost-effective and adequate screening concept in the enormous group of competitive athletes who are not integrated in an Olympic- or other high-level squad. The need for a certain self-determination and personal responsibility of the athletes should be respected. Therefore, the screening should not be mandatory. However, adequate information about the issue is crucial for an informed decision.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.4414/smw.2012.13575DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

competitive athletes
32
screening
17
athletes
17
exemplary local
16
local screening
16
cardiac screening
16
screening programme
16
interviewed competitive
12
competitive
9
cardiac
8

Similar Publications

Recurrent sports injuries present complex challenges that extend beyond the playing field, impacting athletes' physical well-being, mental resilience, and financial stability. This review outlines a comprehensive framework designed to prevent and manage these setbacks, empowering athletes to achieve sustained performance and recovery. This multidimensional issue requires an integrative approach encompassing physical rehabilitation, psychological resilience, and nutritional strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare primary cardiomyopathy with genetic etiology, resulting from an abnormality of myocardial development during embryogenesis. It carries an elevated risk of left ventricular dysfunction, thromboembolic events and malignant arrhythmias. We report the case of LVNC associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and ankyrin 2 () mutation at the genetic test.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Return to competition after ACL reconstruction: Factors influencing rates and timing in Swedish football players.

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

January 2025

Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery, Stockholm Sports Trauma Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Purpose: To investigate the rate and timing for return to football league games after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in Swedish players, examining associations with sex, age, level, graft and additional ACL surgery.

Method: Data from the Swedish National Knee Registry (SNKLR) and the Swedish Football Association's IT System (FOGIS) were used. The study cohort comprised 971 football players, 64% males, who underwent primary ACLR.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Humeral capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions can be challenging to treat. Past studies have demonstrated grafting with extracellular matrix with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (ECM-BMAC) to be a viable technique for treatment of talar dome OCD, though little literature exists regarding application of this technique to the capitellum. This study aimed to report patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and return to sport (RTS) of pediatric patients at ≥1-year postoperatively who underwent ECM-BMAC grafting for capitellar OCD lesions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study investigates the effectiveness of blood flow restriction (BFR) training in maintaining athletic performance during a taper phase in basketball players. The taper phase aims to reduce external load while maintaining training intensity. Seventeen experienced basketball players were randomised into two groups: a placebo group ( = 8, 22.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!