Responding to a series of fatal medical incidents occurring during physical activities in Indonesia, the Association of Sports Medicine Specialists (PDSKO) has issued important guidelines to ensure the safety of sports enthusiasts. The professional organization emphasizes that exercise remains a vital instrument for health, provided it is conducted with measured safety principles.
PDSKO explained that serious risks in exercise rarely arise from a single factor. Generally, undetected health conditions, disproportionate training intensity, and extreme environments are the main triggers. Therefore, a safe and planned approach is the main key to minimizing undesirable impacts.
To mitigate these risks, PDSKO established four main pillars of safety. First, individuals are required to undergo health screenings and risk stratification before commencing high-intensity physical activity. Second, training programs must be designed scientifically and gradually, tailored to age, medical history, and individual fitness capacity.
The third pillar involves vigilance regarding environmental factors, such as air quality, humidity, temperature, and training terrain. Lastly, participants must be able to recognize early warning signs, such as chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, which demand the immediate cessation of activity.
In addition to individual education, PDSKO emphasized that all sports event organizers are required to provide an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). This step is considered crucial to ensuring a rapid response in the event of a medical emergency during sports activities in the field.
