Readability of the current preparticipation cardiovascular screening questionnaires: Are they suitable for athletes?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Pre-participation screening (PPS) is now implemented by the majority leading sporting organisations around globe, where presence personal symptoms and family history questionnaire has to date been constant among all. The cardiology bodies AHA, ESC, IOC FIFA all however independently publish, advocate altered variations form, which are not validated, based on expert opinion alone. Purpose National Institute Health (NIH) recommend questionnaires be written at a reading age between 11-14 years. To readability suitability commonly used PPS investigated; thus, it was our aim assess several from organisations. Methods Readability analysis performed 1) AHA; 2) PPE monograph; 3) ESC; 4) FIFA; 5) IOC. questionnaires, formulae were applied, using multiple regression equations predict ability needed understand given text. formula Flesch Kincaid, Reading Ease, New Dale-Chall, SMOG scale, FORCAST, Coleman-Liau, Gunning Fog scale. Results demonstrated that had an average 14 18 years, resulting in falling outside NIH recommended age. best performing terms (average 13.7 years). with highest AHA 14-step (18.4 years), 34.3% total words within considered difficult according Dale-Chall list. Questions relating easier comprehend than questions. This also exemplified percentage "unfamiliar" words, questions having 19.4%, while 27.3%. Within sub individual questions, chest pain, syncope palpitations documented organisations, wording these showed notable variation, 7.5-year difference questionnaires. Conclusion current exceed integral part health literacy, should question too for athlete comprehend, this misunderstanding may lead them rejecting or providing inaccurate response. remains mainstay process, yet more research needs conducted establish comprehension tailor future towards this, goal improving specificity sensitivity.