ABEM Sports Medicine key terms

Sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest during a narrow window of repolarization, producing ventricular fibrillation in a structurally normal heart. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are critical.

Life-threatening hyperthermia with core temperature above 40°C plus central nervous system dysfunction during exertion. Immediate cold-water immersion is the priority treatment; antipyretics are ineffective.

Low serum sodium during or after prolonged exercise, usually from excessive hypotonic fluid intake relative to sweat losses. Symptoms range from nausea and headache to seizures and cerebral edema.

Inherited carrier state for hemoglobin S that raises the risk of exertional sickling, rhabdomyolysis, and collapse under heat, dehydration, or high-intensity stress. Screening status informs precautions rather than disqualification.

Skeletal muscle breakdown from intense or unaccustomed exercise, releasing myoglobin and creatine kinase into blood. Warning signs include severe pain, swelling, weakness, and dark urine; aggressive fluids and monitoring for kidney injury are key.

Traumatic brain injury from biomechanical forces, producing transient neurologic symptoms without necessarily causing loss of consciousness. Diagnosis is clinical; any suspected case requires removal from play for same-day assessment.

Standardized sideline and office tool combining symptom checklist, cognitive testing, balance assessment, and neurologic screening to structure evaluation after suspected concussion. It supports but does not replace clinical judgment.

Rapid, often fatal cerebral swelling after a second head injury sustained before recovery from an earlier concussion. It underlies the rule that athletes with suspected concussion must not return to play the same day.

Brief bedside exam of smooth pursuits, saccades, convergence, and vestibular reflexes used after concussion. Abnormal findings help identify persisting deficits and guide rehabilitation referral.

Abrupt loss of cardiac output during sport, most often from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary anomalies, or commotio cordis. Survival depends on prompt recognition, CPR, and early defibrillation with an on-site AED.

History and physical examination, sometimes with ECG, performed before sports participation to detect conditions predisposing to sudden cardiac death. Positive findings prompt cardiology referral and individualized eligibility decisions.

Five-item ECG-based risk score (abnormal ECG, age, male sex, syncope, exertional dyspnea) used to estimate the likelihood of structural heart disease in athletes with concerning symptoms.

Transient loss of consciousness from cerebral hypoperfusion. Exertional syncope or syncope without prodrome warrants cardiac evaluation, while reflex syncope after exercise is usually benign.

Decision rules indicating ankle radiography is needed only with pain in the malleolar zone plus bone tenderness at specified sites or inability to bear weight. They safely reduce unnecessary imaging.

Criteria identifying knee injury patients who need radiography: age 55 or older, isolated patellar tenderness, fibular head tenderness, inability to flex to 90 degrees, or inability to bear weight.

Validated tool combining history and exam findings to guide diagnostic or treatment decisions, such as whether to order imaging. It supplements rather than replaces clinical judgment.

Knee examination maneuver applying anterior tibial translation with the knee slightly flexed; the most sensitive clinical test for anterior cruciate ligament disruption.

Tear of the ligament stabilizing the knee against anterior translation and rotation, often from noncontact pivoting. Management ranges from reconstruction to rehabilitation-based care depending on activity goals.

Knee maneuver reproducing anterolateral rotatory instability by flexing an internally rotated, valgus-stressed knee. A positive result is highly specific for anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Disruption of the distal tibiofibular ligaments, causing pain above the ankle joint and instability. Squeeze and external rotation tests help distinguish it from a lateral ankle sprain.

Stretch or tear of the lateral ankle ligaments, most commonly the anterior talofibular ligament, after inversion injury. Early functional rehabilitation reduces recurrence and chronic instability.

Repositioning of a dislocated glenohumeral joint, often using traction-countertraction or scapular manipulation. Post-reduction imaging and neurovascular reassessment are standard.

Cortical depression on the posterolateral humeral head created when it impacts the glenoid rim during anterior shoulder dislocation. Large lesions raise recurrence risk.

Detachment of the anterior labrum and capsule from the glenoid after anterior shoulder dislocation. It is a common source of recurrent instability.

Dangerously elevated pressure within a muscle compartment causing pain out of proportion, pain with passive stretch, and neurologic compromise. It is a surgical emergency; pulses may remain normal.

Surgical opening of fascial compartments to relieve pressure in acute compartment syndrome. Delay risks muscle necrosis and permanent disability.

Overuse fracture of the proximal femur, often with groin or hip pain and no discrete trauma. Tension-sided fractures risk displacement and require urgent orthopedic evaluation.

Spectrum of overuse bone damage from repetitive loading, ranging from stress reaction to complete fracture. Management depends on location and whether the fracture is on the tension or compression side.

Syndrome of insufficient energy availability causing endocrine, bone, metabolic, and psychological consequences, including menstrual dysfunction and stress fractures. Treatment centers on restoring energy intake and reducing load.

Interrelated low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density in physically active women. Early recognition prevents stress fractures and long-term skeletal harm.

Post-exercise fainting from transient hypotension and pooling of blood after stopping activity, usually conscious and responsive. It must be distinguished from heat stroke and cardiac arrest.

Staged, criterion-based progression of activity after injury or illness, with monitoring for symptom recurrence and medical clearance before full competition. Progression should be individualized to the sport and injury.

Rehabilitation emphasizing sport-specific movement, strength, balance, and neuromuscular control rather than rest alone. It aims to restore performance and reduce reinjury risk.

Progressive exposure to heat and exercise over one to two weeks that improves sweating, plasma volume, and cardiovascular efficiency, reducing heat illness risk. It is a core preventive strategy for hot-weather events.

Volume of sweat lost per hour, estimated from pre- and post-exercise body weight change plus fluid intake. It guides individualized hydration planning during exercise.

Maximum rate of oxygen uptake during intense exercise, reflecting aerobic capacity. It is expressed per kilogram of body mass and is a key determinant of endurance performance.

Exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate faster than it is cleared. It predicts sustainable endurance pace better than maximal capacity alone.