Incidence of the Practice of Recreationel Physical Activity and Sports and Risk of Sudden Death in the Population of the City of Yaounde, Cameroon

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the percentage of a recreational physical activities and sports (PAS) practitioners or non-competitive athlete in Yaoundé city, and the risk of sudden death incurred. Seven hundred and ninety-three (793) men and women practicing recreational sports took part in this survey. The analysis of the variables of the socio-demographic, professional and clinical characteristics of those practicing physical activity ≥ 3 hours per week and those practicing physical activity < 3 hours was made. Data collection was carried out using a pre-established questionnaire, after obtaining an ethical clearance from the Ministry of Public Health. The average age of participants was 27.3 ± 10.6 years, they are mostly made up of men (56.2%). Five hundred and forty-seven (68.9%) said they practice physical activity at least 3 hours a week. Fifteen (15) participants or 1.6% declared to be carriers of a cardiovascular pathology and thirty-nine (39) or 4.9% are hypertensive. A large number (439; 55.6%) refrained from disclosing their clinical status or were unaware of it. The rate of recreational physical activities and sports practitioners is high in the population of Yaoundé. In this population, some practitioners are carriers of pathologies exposing them to sudden death. Knowledge of these data can contribute to taking appropriate measures to reduce cases of sudden cardiac death related to sports practice, a phenomenon increasingly observed in Cameroon.