Key result
Competitive athletics is associated with a 2.5 times higher risk of sudden cardiac death, with an estimated incidence of 1-2 per 100,000 per year among young athletes.
This review highlights the physiological demands of soccer, common causes of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, and current FIFA screening guidelines.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports SCD vigilance in young athletes; leaves open optimal screening protocols.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young competitive athletes (<35 years old) is a tragic event that has been brought to public attention in the past few decades. The incidence of SCD is reported to be 1-2/100,000 per year, with athletes at a 2.5 times higher risk. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, played by people of all ages. However, unfortunately it is cardiovascular diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy that have subtly missed screening and claimed the lives of soccer stars such as Marc Vivien Foe and Antonio Puerta during live action on the field and on an internationally televised stage. This paper covers the physiological demands of soccer and the relationship between soccer and SCD. It also reviews the most common causes of SCD in young athletes, discusses the current guidelines in place by The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for screening among professional soccer players, and the precautions that have been put in place to prevent SCD on the field in professional soccer.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Higgins et al. (2013) conducted a review in Sudden cardiac death. Competitive sports (soccer) was evaluated on Sudden cardiac death. Competitive athletics is associated with a 2.5 times higher risk of sudden cardiac death, with an estimated incidence of 1-2 per 100,000 per year among young athletes.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: