In Poland, every athlete under the age of 21 is required by law to undergo clinical screening performed under supervision of a medical doctor specialising in the field of sport medicine, before starting any form of sports practice. Apart from a general examination, anthropometrical measurements, an orthopedic examination, a physical capacity test (usually VO2 max.), dental check-up, electrocardiogram, blood and urine morphology must all be performed. The player must see a dentist, laryngologist and oculist. The general examination, anthropometrical measurements and orthopedic examination must be repeated every six months and the other tests once a year. Athletes may not take part in any form of competition or training without a written medical certificate. Every athlete has to pass all the tests again if he or she suffers an injury. The Ministry of Health finances this programme. Additionally all official tournaments must hire a medical doctor, who must attend all competitions and offer assistance to all players if required. Because of lack of funding, medical doctors provide these services on a voluntary basis. Top-level athletes, such as members of Olympic teams, undergo special medical, anthropometrical, and biomechanical tests as well as tests of motor abilities at the Institute of Sport in Warsaw. Dr. Marek Kintzi Dr. Piotr Unierzyski Some clubs or regions organise extra medical care for their own players. In the Wielkopolska region, Dr. Marek Kintzi (an STMS member since 1996) takes care of all gifted players practising in a regional team. He regularly examines tennis players from this region and provides medical consultations for all junior players twice a year. An examination is combined with ability tests. The results of the orthopedic examination (postural fault analysis, progressive disturbances of muscular-skeletal system, overuse syndromes and injuries) are passed on to coaches and parents of young tennis players, and to the Regional Coach, together with training correction recommendations. Marek also takes part in the annual Polish Coaches Symposium, giving lectures on injury prevention.
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