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.