Sports Medicine
Performance and safety with the preparticipation assessment
What is the preparticipation assessment?
The preparticipation assessment, or PPA, is a complete examination carried out by a physician specialized in sports medicine. Its purpose is to assess various aspects of your health and physical condition before you take up physical exercise. This assessment serves as a tool for understanding your physical state, your limits and the potential risks associated with the activity you plan to undertake. It also aims to offer recommendations to optimize your athletic performance, minimize the risk of sports injury and reduce the risk of sudden death during exercise.
The PPA makes it possible to determine how safe a given sporting activity is for you, and to design your own exercise routine.
Who is a PPA suitable for?
PPAs are ideal for a wide range of people. They are particularly recommended for:
- Children and young people: those between 7 and 18 years old who take part in school physical or sporting activity. This process can help identify any underlying health problem and ensure they are safely prepared for physical activity.
- Elite athletes: those who compete at professional level. It helps detect conditions that could affect their performance or put their health at risk during competition.
- Active adults: even if you are not an elite athlete, a PPA can be invaluable if you are looking to improve your fitness and health in general. It provides a comprehensive assessment of your current health and offers guidance on how to reach your goals safely and effectively.
It is worth noting that each group has particular requirements, and PPAs are adapted accordingly to guarantee safety and the best performance.
How often should a PPA be done?
It is advisable to have a PPA regularly, ideally every year, to measure your progress and address any health problem in good time. It is also important to work with the support of a medical team specialized in sports medicine, to ensure you receive the right care and guidance.
What does a PPA include?
PPAs can include a variety of tests and examinations designed around your goals, the type of activity to be undertaken and your sporting level. The common components of a PPA may include all or some of the following:
- Review of medical history: the physician will review any existing medical conditions, previous injuries, surgeries and medications you are currently taking.
- Sports medicine physical examination: it assesses aspects such as blood pressure, heart rate, flexibility, muscular strength and body composition.
- Electrocardiogram for athletes: it assesses the health of your heart and makes it possible to detect a cardiac condition that could pose a risk during physical activity.
- Nutritional assessment: a professional specialized in sports nutrition reviews your current diet and provides guidance to optimize your nutrition and support your sporting goals.
- Physical capacity test: whether on a treadmill or a bicycle, these are used to assess your cardiac capacity and determine your effort thresholds.
Laboratory tests and the echocardiogram are NOT included by default: they are decided during the assessment, according to what the physician finds. If they are needed, you will be told at the consultation.
With the data obtained, the physician specialized in sports medicine determines whether you are fit for the activity, or recommends appropriate preventive measures.
In short, the preparticipation assessment, or PPA, is a key tool for maximizing your athletic performance and guaranteeing your safety during physical or sporting activity.
Whether you are an elite or an amateur athlete, the PPA provides important data about your health and helps you set more realistic and attainable goals.
Investing in a preparticipation health assessment can make the difference in your ability to reach your sporting goals.
At Biuman we offer a range of sports check-ups designed to optimize your performance and guarantee your wellbeing. Take a look at our packages and find the assessment that best fits your goals. Get in touch today to find out more!
Sources:
Riebe, D., Franklin, B. A., Thompson, P. D., Garber, C. E., Whitfield, G. P., Magal, M., & Pescatello, L. S. (2015). Updating ACSM’s Recommendations for Exercise Preparticipation Health Screening. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(11), 2473-2479. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000664
Leischik, R., Dworrak, B., Foshag, P., Strauss, M., Spelsberg, N., Littwitz, H., & Horlitz, M. (2015). Pre-Participation and Follow-Up Screening of Athletes for Endurance Sport. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 7(6), 385-392. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2129w
Ionescu, A. M., Pitsiladis, Y. P., Rozenstoka, S., Bigard, X., Löllgen, H., Bachl, N., Debruyne, A., Pigozzi, F., Casasco, M., Jegier, A., Smaranda, A. M., Caramoci, A., & Papadopoulou, T. (2021). Preparticipation medical evaluation for elite athletes: EFSMA recommendations on standardised preparticipation evaluation form in European countries. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 7(4), e001178. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001178