AANA Fellowship Education - Medical Issues in Sports Medicine: Infectious Disease, Cardiac/Pulmonary, Blunt Injuries, Heat Illness/Stroke, and COVID-19 and Sports-Presentation (PDF)

Presentation (PDF)

Pdf Summary

This comprehensive 2021 webinar addresses key medical issues in sports medicine, focusing on infectious diseases, cardiac/pulmonary concerns, blunt injuries, heat illness/stroke, and COVID-19 impacts on sports.<br /><br />Exertional Heat Illness (EHI), ranging from mild heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke, results from impaired heat dissipation during exercise. Primary cooling mechanisms include evaporation and convection, with humidity and hydration status critically affecting effectiveness. Acclimatization over 10-14 days enhances heat tolerance. EHI is a common cause of sudden death in athletes, notably in preseason football camps. Management emphasizes rapid removal of excess clothing and immediate cooling, ideally via whole-body ice-water immersion, before hospital transport. Post-heat stroke recovery involves rest, follow-up testing, and gradual return to activity to prevent recurrence.<br /><br />Cardiac issues, including sudden exercise-related death, usually stem from structural heart problems or coronary artery disease. History-taking is vital, as 75–80% of issues can be detected through questions about syncope, chest pain, palpitations, and family cardiac history. Pulmonary conditions like asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction are common, diagnosed via history and pulmonary function tests, with management focusing on trigger avoidance and pre-exercise medication.<br /><br />Infectious diseases such as MRSA and STIs are relevant in sports settings. MRSA requires strict hygiene practices over extensive environmental cleaning. Education and testing for common infections are crucial.<br /><br />COVID-19 poses unique challenges. Athlete screening includes viral and antibody tests, with an understanding of their limitations. Return-to-play protocols recommend gradual exercise resumption post-infection. Prevention strategies emphasize mask use, ventilation, testing regimes, contact tracing, and risk mitigation tailored by sport and setting. Quarantine protocols can be shortened with negative tests, facilitating safer travel and competition. Mental health impacts, such as fatigue and psychological issues, must also be recognized as separate from COVID-19 infection.<br /><br />Case discussions illustrate practical application of these principles, underscoring the importance of thorough evaluation and evidence-based management to safeguard athlete health across multiple domains in sports medicine.

Keywords

sports medicine

exertional heat illness

heat stroke

cardiac issues in athletes

pulmonary conditions

infectious diseases in sports

MRSA

COVID-19 in athletes

return-to-play protocols

mental health in sports