A Survey of Team Physicians on the Participation Status of Hemophilic Athletes in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletics.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if team physicians would allow individuals with hemophilia A to participate in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics and what factors influence their decisions. An additional purpose was to determine if individuals with hemophilia A are presently participating in Division I athletics. DESIGN AND SETTING: The data were collected with a mail survey designed by the researchers. SUBJECTS: 66 Division I team physicians. MEASUREMENTS: The questions in the survey were considered important in understanding the history of team physicians with hemophilic athletes, the self-established standard that team physicians would follow in the future with regard to athletic participation by hemophilic players, and the team physicians' reasoning for their standards. RESULTS: Of the 231 surveys sent, 72 were returned and 66 were analyzed. Sixteen hemophilic players were reported to have participated in Division I athletics. Several team physicians allowed hemophilic athletes to participate under many circumstances. As the severity of hemophilia A and risk of injury due to sport type (noncontact, contact, or collision) increased, the number of team physicians allowing participation decreased. Also, it was reported that hemophilic athletes were currently participating in sports. CONCLUSIONS: Athletes with hemophilia are currently participating in Division I athletics, but they have special needs regarding their conditions. Prevention and management plans have been devised to expedite the care of these athletes.