Sports psychiatric examination in competitive sports

Pre-Participation Examination (PPE) is recommended in many countries prior to or during the practice of competitive sports. The dedicated exploration of psychological complaints and illnesses in the sense of a psychiatric basic assessment within the PPE is not yet the rule. The implementation of a Psychiatric Basic Assessment (PBA) in the PPE is proposed and presented in terms of content. Abnormal findings in the PBA, crises, emergencies as well as conspicuous changes in behaviour should lead to further sports psychiatric evaluation (SPE) by child, adolescent and adult psychiatrists and psychotherapists qualified for this purpose. The goal is to use diagnostic and procedural standards to identify risks to mental health, stress, and already manifest illnesses in a timely manner and to provide qualified, specialized medical or psychiatric treatment. The diagnostic standards are intended to promote research and the benefits are to be verified by studies.