Health tests for athletes – vital for amateurs and professionals!

Health tests for athletes – vital for amateurs and professionals!

Specialist medical examinations should be undertaken not only by professional athletes (as required by the Polish Act on Competitive Sport), but also by all amateur athletes.

People starting or continuing a career in competitive sport undergo detailed examinations because, without them, they would not be cleared for training, competitions and many other activities. These examinations not only confirm the health status of people who train regularly, but also minimise the risk of health problems resulting from excessive physical activity.

Just a few years ago, people exercising recreationally did not even consider having tests intended for athletes. Following several incidents widely reported on television (including deaths during training at a stadium or while jogging), their awareness has changed slightly, and some amateur athletes now choose to undergo detailed examinations. Unfortunately, there are still too few of them.

An initial examination, carried out before taking up a sport, makes it possible to assess your health and detect hidden conditions, symptoms and abnormalities (before exposing your body to excessive exertion). Tests recommended for athletes reduce the risk of health problems, serious sports injuries and trauma sustained during sport.

Which tests should athletes have?

The tests athletes should have and how often they should have them are specified in a regulation issued by Minister Zdrowia (Minister of Health):  “Regulation of Minister Zdrowia (Minister of Health) of 22 July 2016 on the qualifications of doctors authorised to issue medical certificates concerning athletes’ health and the scope and frequency of the medical examinations required to obtain these certificates”.

Before booking tests and going to a laboratory, it is worth first attending a consultation with a sports medicine doctor. During the appointment, the specialist will not only take your medical history, but also assess your respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, rule out contraindications to participating in a particular sport and request detailed diagnostic tests.

A consultation with a sports medicine doctor is recommended for professional athletes (for whom it is compulsory), as well as for people who are just starting running, swimming or exercising at a gym. People planning to take part in marathons, triathlons or even local road races should also have their health checked.

Tests and examinations that everyone taking part in sport should have:   

Anthropometric measurements assessing body weight, height, body proportions, anatomical characteristics, physical aptitude and psychological predispositions.

Electrocardiography (ECG) is a test that helps detect significant heart abnormalities and heart conditions which, when combined with sporting activity, can have very serious consequences.

An exercise stress test assesses how the heart works during physical exertion, as well as the heart muscle’s oxygen requirements. Heart rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure and the electrocardiogram are monitored during the test.

Urinalysis can detect abnormalities in the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as urinary system disorders. As intense physical exertion places considerable strain on the kidneys, this test is a very important part of an athlete’s diagnostic assessment.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures how quickly red blood cells settle and can help detect inflammation, even when it causes no symptoms.

Full blood count with automated differential is a basic blood test that everyone should have from time to time, regardless of age or sex. A full blood count provides the most information about the state of your body and helps detect infections, inflammation, allergies, excesses or deficiencies of elements, and anaemia. When analysing athletes’ blood, particular attention is paid to haemoglobin and haematocrit levels.

Glucose – laboratory test. As sugar has a major influence on exercise performance, acting as an energy source, assessing its concentration in the body is very important. Both excessively low and excessively high blood glucose levels pose a significant risk of complications that can endanger your health.

Lipid profile (cholesterol) measures total blood cholesterol, with a breakdown into HDL and LDL fractions, as well as triglycerides.

Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme produced by muscle tissue and found in striated muscles, the heart muscle and the brain. Although CK levels are generally slightly higher in athletes, an excessively high level may indicate overtraining.

Creatinine is an organic compound formed mainly in skeletal muscles. An excessively low creatinine level may indicate malnutrition or wasting, while an excess may result from acute kidney failure.

Potassium is responsible for transmitting impulses to muscles, supporting their recovery. A deficiency in the body can result in painful cramps that prevent physical activity.

Sodium is responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous and muscular systems. A deficiency or excess in the body can help guide athletes’ intake of electrolytes and mineral salts.

Iron – laboratory test is particularly important for athletes because iron is involved in producing haemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body during physical exertion. Iron deficiency can be dangerous to your health.

Magnesium – laboratory test allows you to assess whether magnesium levels in the body are normal, excessive or deficient. Magnesium is a very important element for athletes, particularly those taking part in endurance sports.

Detailed examinations for athletes should also include specialist consultations:

• A dental consultation
• An ear, nose and throat consultation
• An ophthalmology consultation
• An orthopaedic consultation
• A cardiology consultation
• A neurology consultation

People taking part in sport, whether professionally or recreationally, can have each test separately or purchase a test package of their choice. The tests in a package can be carried out on the same day, primarily saving time and reducing the number of needle punctures.

Several test packages designed for athletes are available from the BadamySie.pl shop:

• Basic athlete test package
• Medium athlete test package
• Comprehensive athlete test package
• Sports health test package

If you choose to purchase tests from the BadamySie.pl shop, you not only avoid having to leave home to make the purchase (everything can be arranged on your computer), but can also choose the facility where the tests will be carried out from laboratories across Poland.

When should you have tests?

According to the recommendations of Minister Zdrowia (Minister of Health), athletes should undergo:

• Initial examinations (for the first time) – these should be carried out before taking up a sport,
• Periodic examinations – depending on the type of test, these are carried out once every 6 months, once every 12 months or once every 24 months
• Follow-up examinations – these are carried out in all professional athletes after trauma or a sports injury.