ABSTRACT
Pre-participation screening (PPS) has become a routine tool in the assessment of players at the beginning of a new season, or when a new player or athlete is introduced to a new training group. The spectrum of what is screened during this process, however, can vary tremendously, ranging from the all-encompassing pre-signing medical examination of a multimillion-pound footballer to a brief examination to fulfil legal requirements when competing in a single event. Equally, different sporting bodies and governments have differing criteria for what needs to be assessed during a screening. For example in Italy, every person wishing to participate in sport is required to have a cardiac screening assessment, with a view to reducing the incidence of sudden death.
