title: Medical examinations undertaken by Dutch professional football clubs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During their career, professional football players undergo periodic medical examinations intended to screen and monitor their fitness and health. In the Netherlands, information about the content of these examinations is lacking and it is not known whether they comply with current Dutch occupational medicine guidelines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the content of medical examinations undertaken in Dutch professional football clubs, and assess whether they comply with current Dutch occupational medicine guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study conducted among physicians working for all clubs in the Dutch first- and second-tier professional football leagues, using an electronic questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiovascular assessment based on different instruments was used in all clubs and respiratory assessment based on different instruments was used in most (87%). Other assessments such as mental health (7%), neurological (27%) or urinary (22%) assessments were only undertaken in some clubs. Seven out of the 26 clubs met some of the relevant aspects of current Dutch occupational medicine guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The medical examinations currently undertaken in Dutch professional football clubs are diverse in nature and not consistent from one club to another. Only a limited number of clubs meet Dutch guidelines for periodic medical examinations of workers.
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam 1100 DE, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gouttebarge
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sluiter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008603:Mental Health; D009426:Netherlands; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012916:Soccer; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016482:Urinalysis
keywords: Elite athletes; football; medical examination.