Sports physical examination

What is a sports medical examination?

Sports medical check-ups are all tests concerning the state of health of sports athletes, and are fundamental to play sports in a safe way. It is recommended to carry out annual sports medical examinations or whenever you want to start a new sport, to know if you are physically prepared to play it. 

What happens during a sports medical examination?

A sports medical examination may be composed of a series of tests, including: 

• History: analysis of medical history and personal and family history.
• Gait analysis: revision of the pelvis, spine, ankles, knees, etc.
• Cardiovascular evaluation: checking blood pressure by listening to your pulse and heart beat
• Electrocardiogram: obtains a graph of the electrical activity of the heart.
• Respiratory assessment: this may involve listening to your breathing and spirometry (measures lung capacity and volume).
• Body composition: calculation of bone, muscle and fat weight.
• Evaluation of aerobic endurance test: consisting of running on treadmill or athletic track.

Why is a sports medical examination carried out?

The objective of a sports medical examination is to confirm whether or not someone is ready for a certain sports activity, and to anticipate any difficulties the person may have. Anyone can benefit from an examination, whether they play sport to a professional level or would just like to take up a new sport as a hobby.

How should I prepare for a sports medical examination?

Before submitting to the test, it is recommended to take the following measures:

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes
• Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours before the exam
• Eat light food, do not smoke, do not drink coffee, alcohol, or stimulants on the day

What is the meaning of abnormal results in a sports medical examination?

A sports medical examination may reveal issues such as:

• Poor gait or posture that could result in injury
• Problems with breathing function that may require further investigation
• Inherited heart conditions which need managing for you to play sport safely

After you are given the results of your exam you may be referred to another specialist, such as a cardiologist or physiotherapist, for further investigation and treatment.