Screening for heart disease in athletes by athletic trainers and sports physical therapists

Sudden cardiac death in athletes may be preventable if healthcare providers perform a thorough screening of the cardiovascular system during routine athlete evaluations. Determine the adequacy of routine screening of athletes for heart disease by athletic trainers (ATs) and physical therapists (PTs)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sport rehabilitation 2008-05, Vol.17 (2), p.171-185
Main Authors: Evans, Christian C, Schwarz, Lisa, Masihi, Minal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Athletes
Cardiovascular disease
Data Collection
Death, Sudden, Cardiac - prevention & control
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Heart Diseases - diagnosis
Humans
Mass Screening - utilization
Physical therapists
Physical therapy
Physical Therapy Specialty
Sports Medicine
United States
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Summary:Sudden cardiac death in athletes may be preventable if healthcare providers perform a thorough screening of the cardiovascular system during routine athlete evaluations. Determine the adequacy of routine screening of athletes for heart disease by athletic trainers (ATs) and physical therapists (PTs). DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, AND METHODS: National Athletic Trainers Association and Sports Physical Therapy Section members were surveyed using a stratified sampling technique via e-mail and postal mail. ATs performed significantly higher than PTs on the composite screening score (CSS; mean of 13 items) as well as on 9 of 13 individual items. Logistic regression analysis revealed that "involvement in preparticipation screenings for sports (PPSS)" was most closely related to CSS (P < .01) and controlling for this factor in the ANOVA eliminated differences between the professions. Clinicians working with athletes who are not involved in PPSS may not adequately screen these patients for heart disease.
ISSN:1056-6716
1543-3072
DOI:10.1123/jsr.17.2.171