MedFest Manual for Clinical Directors - Special Olympics

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Neurological Examination/Range of Motion/Strength
Many Special Olympics athletes will have abnormal neurological and musculoskeletal
findings. Usually, these findings are long-standing and are generally not contraindications
to sports participation. In the presence of abnormal neurological or musculoskeletal
findings, the clinician should consider whether participation in a particular sport will
likely cause additional injury to the athlete over and above what would normally be
expected for an athlete without the abnormal findings.
Neurological or musculoskeletal findings that are suspected to be of new onset may
represent a new or progressing disorder and should be referred for further evaluation.
In this case, the athlete should not be cleared for sports participation until the referral
evaluation has been completed.
Notes
The MedFest history and physical forms have been standardized for ease of use,
interpretation and for data collection purposes. Though there is a lot of information
that is captured on these standardized forms, not every physical exam variable can be
standardized. The “Notes” section is provided on the form for examining clinicians to
make additional notes, comments or recommendations.