fundamentals
Starting an Exercise Program
Screening for sports participation
Most schools and organized sports associations require that people have a doctor evaluate whether they can safely participate before they join the program. Doctors ask questions about general health and do an examination as previously described. Occasionally, additional testing may be needed after this evaluation. Adolescents and young adults are often asked about use of illicit and performance-enhancing drugs. (See also theUS Anti-Doping Agencyweb site.) In girls and women, doctors look for delays in the onset of menstruation and presence of the female athlete triad (eating disorders, amenorrhea or other menstrual dysfunction, and diminished bone mineral density), which is common among adolescent and young women who engage in overly intensive physical activity, and overly zealous loss of body fat. 