The PPE for female and male athletes (Pre-participation Physical Evaluation for female and male athletes) is an online health check tool for athletes, developed based on research evidence, designed to help maintain the health and safety of athletes and para-athletes.
The competitive performance of athletes and para-athletes in Japan is improving year by year.
However, there is also a tendency for athletes to pursue a high level of performance, and in pursuit of this, they tend to work too hard, without regard for their health, to the detriment of their health. In the field of coaching, there is no health assessment to understand the physical characteristics, underlying diseases, allergies, etc. of athletes and para-athletes, and no guidelines based on this assessment, so “judging the quantity and quality of training” is left to the experience of coaches. Therefore, a major problem is that athletes continue to play sport until health problems are induced.
To address this issue, it is necessary to regularly check and record past medical history and current health status to maintain healthy participation in sport at an appropriate intensity, and it is also important to share this information with coaches and support staff.
Female Athlete Triad (FAT) is the three disorders that female athletes are most prone to (low energy availability, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and osteoporosis).
Male Athlete Triad (MAT) is the three health issues related to insufficient energy in male athletes ( low energy availability, decreased gonadal function, and reduced bone health).
Early detection is effective in preventing both FAT and MAT, and it is important to seek medical attention as soon as any signs of illness appear.
The Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport (JCRWS) has developed the “PPE for female athletes (Pre-participation Physical Evaluation for female athletes)” through the “Research and Study for Strategic Enhancement of Female Athletes,” a project for the development and support of female athletes commissioned by the Japan Sports Agency in the fiscal year 2019 and 2020. PPE for female athletes (Pre-participation Physical Evaluation for female athletes) was developed.Since fiscal year 2021, the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport at Juntendo University has been responsible for its maintenance and operation.
Message
from the Principal Investigator
Natsue Koikawa
Deputy Director, The Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sports Professor, Faculty of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo UniversityPPE (Preparticipation Physical Evaluation) is a fundamental health evaluation designed to help athletes participate in sport safely and effectively.
It should always be conducted “before and after each season” to continuously monitor changes in health status.
By appropriately utilizing the results of the PPE, each athlete can objectively understand their physical condition and engage in sport while maintaining good health.
Furthermore, sharing this information with coaches, medical professionals, and support staff helps strengthen systems for injury and illness prevention, ultimately contributing to long-term improvement in athletic performance.
Ongoing implementation and effective use of PPE enhances the quality of health management and supports athletes in developing into competitors who can perform on the international stage.
