| Despite
the excitement of joining a new hockey team, football league or
whatever physical activity one maybe enthusiastic about participation,
a preparticipation evaluation (PPE) may be inevitable. While many
high schools and colleges may require a PPE as a prerequisite
to joining a team, many adults ignore the medical examination
when joining a social club or athletic group. Regardless of how
healthy one considers themselves, it is important not to overlook
the dreaded physical examination. For
a better understanding on the pre-participation evaluation (PPE),
review the following questions and answers:
A pre-participation
evaluation (PPE)is another term for sports physical.
Why are pre-participation
evaluations necessary?
Generally, the objective
of the sport physical or pre-participation evaluation is to
obtain a comprehensive study on the athlete’s well-being and
physical aptitude.
Are the evaluations
used to test the bounds of the athlete’s performance?
Yes and no, the pre-participation
evaluation (PPE)is devised to ensure the safe participation
of the athlete in the designated sport.
What transpires if
an athlete is unapproved for a specific sport?
Generally, most athletes are recommended other sports to become
involved in.
What are the fundamental
objectives of the pre-participation evaluation(PPE)?
The objectives of
the pre-participation evaluation (PPE) include the following:
•Identify any medical
conditions that may make the athlete susceptible to injury
•Detect any medical conditions that may serve as a risk factor
•Adhere to both insurance and legal pre-requisites
•Evaluate overall health
•Provide a health consultation on medically-related issues
•Ascertain the fitness level for designated sports or physical
activities
How soon should an
athlete plan a pre-participation evaluation (PPE)?
Overall, the PPE
should be administered a minimum of six weeks before the preseason
practice begins. It allows adequate time to amend or rehabilitate
of any specific medical problems. To avoid any schedule glitches,
the PPE should be scheduled toward the end of the previous school
year or 6-weeks before the preseason practice starts. |
