Abstract

We have examined the clinical files of the athletes that were kept under observation at the "Centro di Medicina dello Sport della USL 10" of Jesi, from January 1987 to April 1994, to link the causes of unfitness. We have examined a total of 7.143 athletes. The unfitness causes have been divided in two groups according to the apparatus seat of the anomally (cardiovascular apparatus, locomotor system, sense organs, etc.). We have noticed a proportional increase in the incidence of unfitness cases due to cardiovascular diseases (80.51% of unfitness with respect to 60.18% of our previous case histories), with a net increase of heart and valvulo-diseases incidence (37.01% of unfitness) and of hyperkinetic arrhythmia (30.51% of unfitness). Since the alterations of the cardiovascular apparatus form the most frequent pathologies in the case of unfitness, we recommend taking the utmost care when examining the athletes by using all methods at the Sports Doctor's disposal, since these pathologies may expose the athlete to the risk of "sudden death". The decision on fitness can vary positively and negatively in the course of years, according to technological and scientific progress for which sports fitness protocols have to be consequently kept up to date. Finally, it should be opportune to spread the case histories among all the Sports Medicine Centres in order to have the possibility to compare the epidemiological data and offer some interesting input to the members of the various Boards that put forward the fitness protocols for competitive sports. Verf.-Referat