Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to develop a preventive guidance program to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest among football players during sports competitions in Iraq. It also examined the extent to which sports clubs provide health services and the level of players’ health awareness related to cardiac arrest prevention and first aid.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed. The study was conducted in Iraqi first-division football clubs during the 2023 season. The main sample consisted of 660 participants, including 60 medical staff members and 600 players. Two structured questionnaires were used: one assessed club-based health services, including medical examination, health education, and health support, while the other assessed players’ health awareness regarding heart protection and first aid for cardiac arrest. The validity and reliability of the instruments were verified using internal consistency and Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analyzed using percentages, arithmetic means, chi-square tests, correlation coefficients, and Cronbach’s alpha.
Results: The findings showed weaknesses in the medical examination procedures, health education activities, and health support provided by sports clubs to protect players from cardiac arrest. The results also indicated that players had limited health awareness regarding heart protection, regular medical check-ups, nutrition, recovery practices, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Based on these findings, a preventive guidance program was developed around four main pillars: regular cardiovascular medical check-ups, nutrition and supplementation for heart health, sleep and recovery practices, and first aid and CPR awareness.
Conclusions: The study concluded that Iraqi football clubs need stronger preventive health procedures to reduce cardiac arrest risk among players. The proposed preventive guidance program may serve as a practical framework for improving medical monitoring, player education, and emergency preparedness in sports clubs.
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References
- Ahmed Nasr El-Din Sayed: Sports Physiology (Theories and Applications), Arab Thought House, Cairo , 2009.
- Mansour Saeed Ibrahim: The Healthy Prescription for Practicing Sports Activities, 1st Edition, Amman, 2016.
- Muwaffaq Asaad Al-Hiti, Muhammad Qasim Jalout: The effect of physical exertion on the training status of the heart, blood oxygen saturation, motor response speed and recovery of football players, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Anbar , 2019.
- Adel Khalifa Sultan: Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death and Preventive Measures in Athletes, 2 International Journal of the Cardiovascular Academy, 2022.
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- Janet Fulton, Charlene Burgeson, Geraldine Perry, Bettylou Sherry: Assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior in preschool-age children: Priorities for research. Pediatr Exerc Sci, 13: 113-126, 2001.
- Kimberly Harmon, Irfan Asif, Joseph Maleszewski, David Owens, Jordan Prutkin, Jack Salerno, Monica Zigman, Rachel Ellenbogen: Incidence, Cause, and Comparative Frequency of Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, American Heart Association, Inc, January 13, 2015.
- Meagan Wasfy , Adolph Hutter, Rory Weiner: SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN ATHLETES, Boston, Massachusetts, 2016.
- Shumei Sun, Wei Wu, William Cameron, Alex Roche: Predicting overweight and obesity in adulthood from body mass index values in childhood and adolescence. Am J Clin Nutr, 76: 653-658, 2002.
- Rachael Taylor, Ailsa Goulding, Nick Lewis, Sheila Williams: Rate of fat gain is faster in girls undergoing early adiposity rebound. Obes Res, 12: 1228-1230, 2004.
- Yehia Fanous, Paul Dorian: The prevention and management of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes, Joule Inc. or its licensors, VOLUME 191, ISSUE 28, 2019.
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References
Ahmed Nasr El-Din Sayed: Sports Physiology (Theories and Applications), Arab Thought House, Cairo , 2009.
Mansour Saeed Ibrahim: The Healthy Prescription for Practicing Sports Activities, 1st Edition, Amman, 2016.
Muwaffaq Asaad Al-Hiti, Muhammad Qasim Jalout: The effect of physical exertion on the training status of the heart, blood oxygen saturation, motor response speed and recovery of football players, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Anbar , 2019.
Adel Khalifa Sultan: Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death and Preventive Measures in Athletes, 2 International Journal of the Cardiovascular Academy, 2022.
Amit Vora, Nitin Burkule, Ashish Contractor, Kartikeya Bhargavad : Prevention of sudden cardiac death in athletes, sportspersons and marathoners in India, Indian Heart J. Jan-Feb; 70(1), 2018.
Aneeq Malik, Justin Hanson, Janet Han, Brett Dolezal, Jason Bradfield, Jeffrey JHsu: Sudden cardiac arrest in athletes and strategies to optimize preparedness, Medical Plaza Suite. 2023.
David Lee, Eugene Chung: Sports Participation and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, American College of Cardiology Foundation, 2016.
Flavio D'Ascenzi, Francesca Valentini, Simone Pistoresi, Federica Frascaro , Pietro Piu, Luna Cavigli , Serafina Valente, Marta Focardi: Causes of sudden cardiac death in young athletes and non-athletes: systematic review and meta-analysis: Sudden cardiac death in the young, Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Volume 32, Issue 5, July 2022.
Janet Fulton, Charlene Burgeson, Geraldine Perry, Bettylou Sherry: Assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior in preschool-age children: Priorities for research. Pediatr Exerc Sci, 13: 113-126, 2001.
Kimberly Harmon, Irfan Asif, Joseph Maleszewski, David Owens, Jordan Prutkin, Jack Salerno, Monica Zigman, Rachel Ellenbogen: Incidence, Cause, and Comparative Frequency of Sudden Cardiac Death in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, American Heart Association, Inc, January 13, 2015.
Meagan Wasfy , Adolph Hutter, Rory Weiner: SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN ATHLETES, Boston, Massachusetts, 2016.
Shumei Sun, Wei Wu, William Cameron, Alex Roche: Predicting overweight and obesity in adulthood from body mass index values in childhood and adolescence. Am J Clin Nutr, 76: 653-658, 2002.
Rachael Taylor, Ailsa Goulding, Nick Lewis, Sheila Williams: Rate of fat gain is faster in girls undergoing early adiposity rebound. Obes Res, 12: 1228-1230, 2004.
Yehia Fanous, Paul Dorian: The prevention and management of sudden cardiac arrest in athletes, Joule Inc. or its licensors, VOLUME 191, ISSUE 28, 2019.
World Health Organization: Energy and Protein Requirements. Report of Joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. Technical Report series 724, Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2000.