Young athletes should be routinely tested for heart abnormalities to prevent sudden cardiac death that is triggered by vigorous exercise, using a simple protocol, which includes a heart trace (electrocardiogram or ECG). This is the conclusion of several studies in the first of a series of quarterly partnership issues between the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which are dedicated to injury prevention in elite sports.

Several studies in the first of a series of quarterly partnership issues between the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are dedicated to injury prevention in elite sports. They report that young athletes should be routinely tested for heart abnormalities. This is to prevent sudden cardiac death that is triggered by vigorous exercise, using a simple protocol, which includes a heart trace, such as an electrocardiogram or ECG.

Headway - the brain injury association has reacted to the news that women's boxing could be added to the Olympic programme by calling for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove all forms of boxing from the rostrum of sports. "We are deeply concerned to hear that the IOC is considering adding women's boxing to the Olympic programme," said Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway.

The scientific and medical publisher, BMJ Group, is to publish additional themed editions of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM), supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it was announced today. The themed editions, which focus on injury prevention and health protection, will be launched in September 2009, with the first issue dedicated to sudden cardiac death in athletes. Subsequent editions will appear quarterly in print and online.