TY - JOUR
T1 - Preparticipation health screening of young athletes. Results of 1268 examinations
AU - Linder, Charles W
AU - DuRant, R. H.
AU - Seklecki, R. M.
AU - Strong, W. B.
PY - 1981
Y1 - 1981
N2 - The major purpose of the preparticipation physical examination of athletes is to screen for conditions that could predispose the athlete to injury or death. However, the examinations offered to many of the athletes in this country fail to adequately accomplish this. This study analyzed the preparticipation health exams of prospective sports participants from all public schools in Richmond County, Georgia, for two consecutive years. We sought to identify the components of a preparticipation exam which most accurately identified athletes who were at risk of sustaining injury. The most frequently reported problems on the health history were previous injuries, previous hospitalizations, and joint problems. These were consistent over the two years. The problems recorded most frequently on the physical exam involved the lower extremities, mouth, teeth, heart, eyes, and genitalia. However, the prevalance of abnormalities found during the first year of the study was significantly lower than that identified in the second year. Analysis of the findings resulted in a more standardized approach to the examination and in an improved examination form.
AB - The major purpose of the preparticipation physical examination of athletes is to screen for conditions that could predispose the athlete to injury or death. However, the examinations offered to many of the athletes in this country fail to adequately accomplish this. This study analyzed the preparticipation health exams of prospective sports participants from all public schools in Richmond County, Georgia, for two consecutive years. We sought to identify the components of a preparticipation exam which most accurately identified athletes who were at risk of sustaining injury. The most frequently reported problems on the health history were previous injuries, previous hospitalizations, and joint problems. These were consistent over the two years. The problems recorded most frequently on the physical exam involved the lower extremities, mouth, teeth, heart, eyes, and genitalia. However, the prevalance of abnormalities found during the first year of the study was significantly lower than that identified in the second year. Analysis of the findings resulted in a more standardized approach to the examination and in an improved examination form.
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U2 - 10.1177/036354658100900311
DO - 10.1177/036354658100900311
M3 - Article
C2 - 7235116
AN - SCOPUS:0019862098
SN - 0363-5465
VL - 9
SP - 187
EP - 193
JO - American Journal of Sports Medicine
JF - American Journal of Sports Medicine
IS - 3
ER -