Pre-participation Evaluation in Recreational High-Intensity Sports: A Literature Review

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to examine the development, validity, and reliability of pre-participation evaluation (PPE) in recreational athletes engaged in high-intensity sports (HISs). Recreational athletes, who participate in sports for enjoyment, fitness, and social engagement, are increasingly involved in high-energy activities such as swimming, tennis, and badminton. PPE is essential for identifying potential health risks, assessing fitness levels, and ensuring that athletes are physically prepared for the demands of these sports. This review highlights various PPE components, including medical history, physical examination, sport-specific assessments, and psychological readiness, with an emphasis on minimizing injury risk and optimizing performance. It also addresses implementation challenges, such as lack of awareness, misinterpretation of results, and the need for sport-specific evaluations. While current PPE practices offer significant benefits, limitations such as reliance on static assessments and the need for more dynamic evaluations are noted. The review concludes that integrating advanced technologies, such as wearable devices and real-time data analytics, could enhance the effectiveness of PPE protocols and improve injury prevention in recreational HISs. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for personalized and tailored PPE procedures to better serve the diverse needs of recreational athletes.

Keywords: cardiovascular fitness (cvf); high-intensity sports; medical history; physical fitness; pre-participation evaluation; recreational sports; relevant physical examination; sports-specific assessment.