Abstract
BackgroundIt is compulsory that domestic football/soccer teams in UEFA competitions organise players’ pre-participation medicals. Although screening guidelines have been established, these remain controversial. The findings of medical examinations can have lasting consequences for athletes and doctors. No previous studies have reported UEFA pre-participation screening results in semi-professional footballers. This study aims to further knowledge regarding ‘normal’ data in this population.MethodRetrospective audit and analysis of records of pre-season medicals for all male first-team players at one semi-professional Northern Ireland Premiership team between 2009-2012. Medicals were conducted by the club doctor following the UEFA proforma. Height, weight, blood pressure (BP), full blood count (FBC), dipstick urinalysis and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) were conducted by an independent nurse. Only one ECG must be documented during a player’s career; other tests are repeated yearly.Results89 medicals from 47 players (6 goalkeepers, 11 defenders, 22 midfielders and 8 attackers; mean age 25.0 years (SD 4.86)) were reviewed. Mean height of the players was 179.3 cm (SD 5.90) with a mean weight of 77.6 kg (SD 10.5). Of 89 urine dipsticks, 7 were positive for protein; all 7 were normal on repeat testing following 48 hours of rest. Of 40 ECGs (mean ventricular rate 61.2 bpm (SD 11.6)), one was referred to cardiology (right bundle branch block; prolonged Q-T interval). No players were excluded from participation.ConclusionsThis study provides important information about ‘normal’ values in a population of semi-professional footballers. Urinalysis showing protein is not uncommon but is likely to be normal on repeat testing.
Highlights
It is compulsory that domestic football/soccer teams in UEFA competitions organise players’ pre-participation medicals
Demographics There were 89 pre-participation medical screenings conducted in 47 players (Table 1), including 6 goalkeepers; 11 defenders; 22 midfielders; 8 attackers
This study reviewed the health profile of soccer players in Northern Ireland (NI) as described through the UEFA pre-participation medical screening procedure
Summary
It is compulsory that domestic football/soccer teams in UEFA competitions organise players’ pre-participation medicals. No previous studies have reported UEFA pre-participation screening results in semi-professional footballers. UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) [1] endorse yearly medicals for domestic football/soccer teams playing in European competition, in keeping with other sporting governing bodies [2,3,4]. Pre-participation medicals are a yearly occurrence for professional footballers and pre-participation screening medicals are performed prior to footballers signing for new clubs. As well as identifying potential preventable causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes, pre-participation medical screening is proposed as a time to identify any potential medical issues and optimise treatment. Doctors (GPs) are often asked to perform these medicals either through direct employment with clubs or during their day-to-day work in the community
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