EXERCISE TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS

Exercise Testing and Diagnosis

Exercise Testing and Diagnosis

Introduction

Some sports federations and clubs wish to impose an electrocardiogram screening of athletes before starting any competition, most of the sports federations are in regular practice of ECG screening in athletes and more specifically in their young athletes from 14 years. Some even consider at age 12. Conspicuously absent from the hype: an objective and balanced information. Regularly, the media informs that an athlete has suffered a cardiac arrest on the ground. But it remains a rare accident. It is estimated that among athletes, sudden cardiac arrest causes about two deaths per 100,000 people per year. Some still want to prevent accidents by making thousands of participants screened for heart problems (Steinvil& Zeltser, 2011, pp.1291-1296). The vast majorities do not withdraw any profit, but some will suffer negative consequences. This assignment focuses on discussing the reasons for ECG screening of athletes before competition and pre-participation screening in athletes. Furthermore, the types of diseases will also be discussed in the paper.

Reasons For and Against ECG Screening of Athletes Prior To Competition

The electrocardiogram (ECG): At the heart of the proposed screening, the resting electrocardiogram. This is to record the electrical activity of the heart, to reveal any abnormalities. The electrocardiogram is a proven utility for people experiencing health problems. But in the case of screening, it is something else: it is subjecting persons without symptoms and a priori healthy medical examinations.

Risks and Possible Problems: One should know that ECG has a significant number of results called "false positive" review indicates that there is a risk, and then it is nothing. But further tests will be conducted to prove it. The risk also exists that it detects many "problems" that are not and / or do not result in serious consequences. But the persons concerned do not find in less stamped, overnight, wrongly as "sick", thereby running the risk of being "treatments" unnecessary and not always benign. In the end, many young people may well be deprived of sport wrong. The Italian example: Supporters of cardiac screening like to cite the example of Italy that introduced mandatory testing for athletes competing at the age of 12 years (Maron & Doerer, 2009, pp.276-280). The assertion that this policy has greatly reduced the number of sudden cardiac arrest is based essentially on a single study may be subject to criticism. Other studies less encouraging, rather suggest that screening has little or no effect. In short, it is not correct to say that there is a scientific consensus on the usefulness of routine ECG screening in young athletes.

Arguments In Favor of an Opposing Pre-Participation Screening in Athletes

The overall objective of pre-participation evaluation is to allow the athlete to stay healthy and perform its sport (training and competition) safely. The goal is not to prevent him from engaging in his sport, but well make sure it can be done without risk. This assess should not replace periodic medical examination ...