title: Precompetition cardiac assessment of football players participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a precompetition medical assessment (PCMA) of elite football players aimed at identifying risk factors for sudden cardiac death.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of the PCMA forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 32 national teams (with 23 players), PCMA forms from 605 players were submitted after the final match (82%). Data of 582 players were analyzed (79%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Recorded results of a standardized PCMA in all players before the 2006 FIFA World Cup including medical history, physical examination, resting/exercise electrocardiogram, and echocardiography were analyzed by 2 independent cardiologic reviewers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apart from general deficits in data quality, at least 6 players (1.0%) could be identified as demanding further investigations to rule out a serious cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comprehensive cardiac testing is feasible in international elite football. To improve future results, the PCMA was revised. It is questionable if exercise stress testing should be included in future PCMA. To ensure correct results, sports cardiologic expertise is essential. In the face of organizational challenges and variable medical standards, alternative approaches to the practical implementation of the PCMA need to be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Centre de l'Appareil Locomoteur, de Médecine du Sport et de Prévention, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg-Clinique d'Eich, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thünenkötter
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grimm
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dvorak
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kindermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires