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[Controversy. Screening for sports activity: con !]
Soraya Anys1, Xavier Jouven1, Eloi Marijon1
1Département de cardiologie, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris Université de Paris, Paris, France Centre d'expertise Mort subite de Paris (CEMS), Inserm U970, Paris, France.
La Revue Du Praticien
|September 23, 2021
Summary
Sudden cardiac death during sports is more common in middle-aged athletes than elite young ones. Despite media focus on young athletes, widespread screening for sports activity is not yet a recognized public health priority.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is often sensationalized, focusing on elite young individuals.
- This perception contrasts with the reality that SCD during sports activity is more prevalent in middle-aged, non-professional athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the typical demographic of individuals experiencing sudden death during sports.
- To evaluate the public health implications and screening feasibility for sports-related cardiac events.
Main Methods:
- Review of media coverage and public perception of SCD in sports.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on sudden death occurrences during physical activity.
Main Results:
- Sudden death during sports is predominantly observed in middle-aged 'Sunday' athletes, not high-level young competitors.
- Media attention on young athletes' cardiac arrests has raised general awareness but not established organized screening.
Conclusions:
- The common image of SCD in sports is misaligned with actual occurrence demographics.
- Despite increased awareness, sports activity screening is not yet a globally recognized public health issue requiring organized campaigns.
