High-level athlete's impressions of their preparticipation sports examination

To document the high-level athletes' impressions of their preparticipation examination (PE).

Prospective study by self-reporting questionnaire.

One hundred-fifty French athletes, involved in national or international-level events (PE is obligatory every year in France). Response rate obtained was 71%. Subject population consisted of 107 normal, healthy, elite athletes, ranging in age from 16 to 31 years (mean 22.4 years), included 69 males and 38 females.

Knowledge and impression of PE, based upon the athletes' own experience. All of the consulted physician were trained and qualified in sports medicine.

Thirty-six percent of the athletes reported having had bad-quality preparticipation sports visit (no significant difference between gender or age). According to them, medical history taking was "poor", and physical examination "restricted to blood pressure measurement" and/or "chest listening" and "not targeted enough on past athletic injuries". Athletes said PE should especially evaluate the cardiovascular system (75% of all citations to the item), the musculoskeletal system (16%) and the lungs (8%), and should involve an electrocardiogram (41%).

Challenges for the future: 1) better educate physician in sport, to improve the preventive aspects of sports medicine 2) physicians should provide information to coaches and athletes concerning the optimal balance between health and physical performance, and therefore to the interest of PE.