Pre-competition screening for 2015

Like many sports federations, FISA has been confronted in recent years by the problem of sudden death. 

Pre-competition health screening, to reduce the risk of ‘sudden cardiovascular death in sport’ (SCD) from critical heart problems, was introduced in 2014 applying to rowers competing at the 2014 World Rowing Junior Championships.

This decision followed after a number of articles, recommendations and consensus statements were published, mainly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Organisation of Sports Medicine, the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Sports Medicine.

These recommendations were founded on the fact that the leading cause (more than 90 per cent) of non-traumatic sudden death in athletes was related to pre-existing heart problems.

The principle of this pre-competition health screening is based on the IOC triptych:

• Medical questionnaire (available on www.worldrowing.com in14 languages here.
• Clinical examination
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Last year all rowers entered in the 2014 World Rowing Junior Championships were required to have completed this screening. For 2015, it will be the same for all rowers entered in the World Rowing Junior, Under 23 and Senior Championships.

Following the FISA Sports Medicine Commission recommendations with consideration for different screening recommendations around the world, the FISA Council decided:

• The questionnaire and examination will be performed every year. Further investigations would be dependent on the clinical findings.
• Resting ECG is mandatory at the following frequency

– Every three years up to age 23 years old – And thereafter ECG every five years
– More frequent and focused cardiac investigations may be required in those with identified risk factors and clinical findings

In 2014 a number of national federations around the world carried out pre-competition screening of their athletes. One example, the Australian Rowing Team found that out of 185 athletes, 26 showed abnormalities in their test results – a 14 per cent result.

For more information refer to FISA Sports Medicine Commission here.