Risk Communication in Prevention of Venous Thrombosis in Sportsmen

Project objective: Sports activities are in general recommended by public health workers in the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, sporting activities may lead in certain cases to enforcing Virchow trias: Hypercoaguability might be achieved by excessive perspiration without the adequate liquid supply, restriction of liquids or abuse of diuretics in order to „drawing“ muscles, polyglobulia due to training in high altitude or abuse of erytropoetin, using of contraceptives, abuse of anabolic steroids, former unknown inherited thrombophilia or malignancy. Travelling, wearing tight footwear or clothes, excessive abdominal press in bodybuilding participate in the stasis of blood. Damage of venous wall is daily problem in the collision and contact sports.

Target groups

sportsmen, coaches and managers

Activities

The sportsman performing the sport at the high level or an enthusiast may be attacked by psychological press, high expectations, responsibility, doping, money and drugs. But a sports community has to be educated in medical and in the same time in non medical preventive measures of VTE and has to respect them. The objective of the presentation is to mediate the experience on the risk communication in prevention of VTE of sportsmen. The fact that sportsmen may be propelled over a threshold that precipitates the development of VTE is illustrated on some case reports.

Deliverables

Only public health workers well perceiving priorities and motivation of sportsmen may effectively communicate in sports community and clarify to sportsmen, coaches and managers the risk of VTE connected with sports activities on scientific base. Good science-based risk communication provides the tools needed to make informed lifestyle decisions.