SPORTS MEDICINE AND THE AMERICANS-WITH-DISABILITIES-ACT

Objective: To explore the potential impact of the Americans with Disab ilities Act of 1990 on the practice of clinical sports medicine. Data Synthesis: The Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans wi th Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) have given physically impaired athle tes the legal means by which to challenge medical sports participation decisions. The Federal Rehabilitation Act prohibits the exclusion of otherwise qualified individuals from participation in federally funded programs, and the ADA extends the rights of disabled persons to inclu de the private sector. These legal statutes contest the team physician 's traditionally unchallenged authority in determining sports particip ation eligibility for medically impaired individuals. Conclusions: The team physician is advised to use his or her best judgment and the opi nions of consultants and to consider special circumstances to formulat e a recommendation about sports participation. Consequently, the prosp ective athlete, after becoming fully informed about the risks of parti cipation, assumes greater responsibility in the decision-making proces s. Sports medicine professionals must be cognizant of this potential c onflict between medical safety recommendations and the expanded legal rights of disabled individuals.