Abstract des Autors

The paper reports data regarding the issue of certificates of fitness for various types of competitive sporting activities for athletes belonging to Sports Groups and Youth Centres issued by the Police Centre of Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine in Rome between September 1993 and June 1994. In one case of non-fitness and in 2 cases of fitness restricted to six months, diagnosis was possible owing to the routine performance of mono- and bidimensional echocardiogram in all athletes examined. In these cases the tests specified by the regulations in force did not indicate the need for echocardiogram. The authors therefore underline the importance of epidemiological test of this type in order to identify the pathologies for which athletes are most at risk and to evaluate the diagnostic tests performed. In fact, the authors affirm that the so-called 1st level tests (ECG + spirometry + urine analysis) must be flanked by mono- and bidimensional echocardiogram, a test which is now indispensable for a correct evaluation of the cardiovascular apparatus. Moreover, the author sustain that a Sports Medicine Centre should also be equipped with sophisticated equipment in order to carry out 2nd level tests: echocardiogram, Holter's dynamic monitoring, 24-h recording of pressure levels, maximal ergometric test using a cycloergometer. This enables an in-depth study to be made of the cardiovascular apparatus, reducing to a minimum or better still eliminating the risk for athletes in order to achieve a correct and complete Preventive Medicine. Verf.-Referat