Cardiovascular emergency preparedness in recreation facilities at major US universities: college fitness center emergency readiness.

Recent American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine (AHA/ACSM) guidelines advocate preparticipation screening, planning, and rehearsal for emergencies and automated external defibrillators in all health/fitness facilities. The authors evaluated adherence to these recommendations at 158 recreational service departments in major US universities (51% response rate for 313 institutions queried). Many made their facilities available to unaffiliated residents, with 39% offering programs for those with special medical conditions. Only 18% performed universal preparticipation screening. Twenty-seven percent reported having 1 or more exercise-related instances of cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death within the past 5 years. Seventy-three percent had an automated external defibrillator, but only 6% reported using it in an emergency. Almost all had written emergency plans, but only 50% posted their plans, and only 27% performed the recommended quarterly emergency drills. The authors' findings suggest low awareness of and adherence to the AHA/ACSM recommendations for identifying individuals at risk for exercise-related cardiovascular complications and for handling such emergencies in university-based fitness facilities. (

[1]  G. Salem,et al.  American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and physical activity for older adults. , 2009, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[2]  D. Chamberlain,et al.  A national programme for on-site defibrillation by lay people in selected high risk areas: initial results , 2005, Heart.

[3]  B. Franklin.  Cardiovascular events associated with exercise. The risk-protection paradox. , 2005, Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

[4]  Aynsley M. Smith,et al.  Action on obesity: report of a mayo clinic national summit. , 2005, Mayo Clinic proceedings.

[5]  J. Schilling,et al.  The public health roots of zoning: in search of active living's legal genealogy. , 2005, American journal of preventive medicine.

[6]  M. Floyd,et al.  Contributions of leisure studies and recreation and park management research to the active living agenda. , 2005, American journal of preventive medicine.

[7]  Séan Ó Riain.  Nótaí Ardchathrach: Ó Rwanda go Ryan , 2005 .

[8]  Ross C Brownson,et al.  Declining rates of physical activity in the United States: what are the contributors? , 2005, Annual review of public health.

[9]  V. Froelicher,et al.  Fitness versus physical activity patterns in predicting mortality in men. , 2004, The American journal of medicine.

[10]  Fernando Costa,et al.  Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Ph , 2003, Circulation.

[11]  B. Chaitman,et al.  Automated external defibrillators in health/fitness facilities: supplement to the AHA/ACSM Recommendations for Cardiovascular Screening, Staffing, and Emergency Policies at Health/Fitness Facilities. , 2002, Circulation.

[12]  V F Froelicher,et al.  Exercise standards for testing and training: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. , 2001, Circulation.

[13]  B. Franklin,et al.  Low compliance with national standards for cardiovascular emergency preparedness at health clubs. , 2001, Chest.

[14]  J. Manson,et al.  Triggering of sudden death from cardiac causes by vigorous exertion. , 2000, The New England journal of medicine.

[15]  S. Blair,et al.  Effects of physical inactivity and obesity on morbidity and mortality: current evidence and research issues. , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[16]  B. Chaitman,et al.  Recommendations for cardiovascular screening, staffing, and emergency policies at health/fitness facilities. , 1998, Circulation.

[17]  Peter R. Cavanagh,et al.  Exercise and physical activity for older adults , 1998 .

[18]  J. A. Peterson,et al.  ACSM's Health/Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines. Second Edition. , 2006 .

[19]  G. Balady,et al.  Cardiovascular screening and emergency procedures at health clubs and fitness centers. , 1997, The American journal of cardiology.

[20]  B. Franklin,et al.  Cardiovascular Evaluation of the Athlete , 1997, Sports medicine.