The preparticipation evaluation for athletes with disability

Athletes are routinely assessed medically prior to competition. Although standardized preparticipation examinations (PPEs) are available for able-bodied athletes, the literature lacks any validated equivalent for the athlete with disability (AWD). Since participation and level of competition is increasing in this population, evidence-based tools such as a standardized PPE form should be available for health professionals to assess AWD health and safety.

To develop an AWD-targeted standardized preparticipation history evaluation (PPE history) using consensus-based expert recommendations.

Researchers developed a PPE history for critical evaluation of its content validity. Structured Delphi method for collecting and interpreting contributions from an expert panel using a series of questionnaires with controlled feedback was performed. Opinions based on the experience of related experts - physiotherapists, sports medicine physicians and physiatrists - were studied during each of the three survey rounds. The process was terminated once adequate consensus relating to the proposed PPE history document was reached.

Majority consensus was reached for forty-nine of fifty-four items to create a refined ten section AWD-specific document to supplement the current standardized PPE. Modifications were made by researchers to accommodate the five items that did not reach statistical consensus.

Consensus was reached on a variety of AWD-specific PPE items, including the disability-related history and functional review. Equipment issues represent a complex area of evaluation, worthy of future research and discussion. The current proposed PPE history tool is considered comprehensive and ready for application in a clinical setting as an adjunct to existing PPE tools. Injury research in the AWD population will provide guidance for refinement and further validation of this PPE history document.

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