Importance of physical exams for athletes
Nearly 6.7 million high school students in the United States participate in co-curricular athletic activities every year without incident. However, each year approximately 20 students die during athletic training or games. According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, most of these deaths result from injuries, heat stress, and most of all, undiagnosed heart conditions.
“Sudden death in people under age 35 is often due to hidden heart defects or overlooked heart abnormalities,” said Dr. Scott Glaeser, MD, St. Nicholas Hospital. “These sudden deaths in young people often occur during physical activity, such as a sporting event.”
For this reason, Wisconsin law requires that student athletes get a physical examination every other year, prior to participating in sports. For many students who are otherwise quite healthy, this may be the only time they see a physician during these formative years.
Fortunately there are screening tests to see if student athletes have a heart defect, and precautions they can take to protect their heart. In addition to checking heart function, here are some other tests done during the physical exam for athletes: blood pressure, reflexes, bone structure, make sure immunizations are up to date, discuss any concerns about substance abuse, reinforce healthy lifestyle choices, and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
Some symptoms, or red flags, parents, coaches and others should be on the lookout for that signal a young person is at high risk of sudden cardiac health include: unexplained fainting or family history of unexplained deaths before the age of 50.
Following a physical exam for athletes, most students are cleared to play sports. But for that small minority who may have an underlying condition in which sports could prove devastating, this biannual exam can not only lead to a healthier lifestyle, it can also save a young life.
St. Nicholas Hospital is a nonprofit hospital sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis located at 3100 Superior Ave., Sheboygan. To learn more, visit www.st.nicholashospital.org.
