Sports medical examination methods

Why do you do a sports medical examination?

A sports medical examination includes examinations of the various organs.

Sports medical examination methods are important elements in determining a sporting activity profile and are therefore used in many different areas. A sports medical examination can take place for various reasons. The aim can be to determine the athletic performance of a person, but also to rule out certain risks that could arise while exercising. Often there are findings or abnormalities that can have a long-term disease potential, but can be eliminated through early detection. The main task of the sports medical examination methods is the exclusion of contraindications to sporting loads.

Basically every person should have himself examined from a sports medicine point of view in order to rule out risks and to be able to better assess his performance. In addition, there are also recommendations as to which groups of people should undergo a sports medical examination. Children from the age of ten with the aim of doing sport should have themselves examined in order to prevent possible problems and to clarify their fitness for sport. Likewise, people who are over 30 years of age and who are new to sports or who have not played sports for at least five years should have themselves examined in order to exclude risks and contraindications to exposure. Every athlete who is 35 years of age or older should undergo a sports medical examination, as the body changes with increasing age and the loads are no longer so high and the conditions are no longer optimal. Here, too, the main interest is the avoidance of any symptoms that may arise through playing sports.

In particular, athletes who have health problems and want to start exercising should definitely see a sports doctor and have an examination before they start. A large group is made up of people who need rehabilitation due to illness, sports injuries or increasing age. This group of patients needs a detailed sports medical examination in order to find out which stress norms can and should be used for rehab.

Special profit

As a rule, everyone can only benefit from a sports medical examination, but there are certain groups that do particularly benefit. These are people whose fitness for sport can be restored through simple measures, or who can be examined through an examination sport can exercise without restrictions. This includes simple examination methods for Eyesight, to the Cardiovascular system or to Lung functionality. Also the state of Skeletal muscles, bone, Tendons and Ribbons plays an important role in this.

Another group are people who have had a sports medical examination so far unknown disease could be revealed. Circulatory disorders, high blood pressure, Metabolic disorders or Valvular heart disease can be treated well if diagnosed early, and a subsequent exercise program can contribute to the well-being of the patient.

Types of sports medicine examination methods

To the sports medical examination methods In addition to general medical examination methods such as the eye test, neurological examinations are also part of this orientation and Thyroid exam, etc. also sport specific Investigations. In general, a general medical examination takes place first, which involves assessing the general health the person and the Fitness for sport goes. In addition, a stress test is on the program, which should determine the performance and thus an exact one athletic assessment enables. From this assessment a Training plan that is individual and takes into account all possible obstacles and problems. In addition, nutritional advice can be used, especially if there are nutritional problems. This rough division includes all individual sports medicine and general medical examination methods that can be used.

The individual examinations can be found in Cardiovascular examinations, Investigation of the internal organs and Examination of the sense organs subdivide. During cardiovascular examinations, a resting ECG is usually first performed in order to examine the heart's activity and the electrical stimulus transmission of the heart muscle fibers. Furthermore, a 24-hour pressure measurement initiated so that it can be ensured that the blood pressure profile over 24 hours does not show any increased or decreased values. With individual measurements, values ​​can possibly be falsified and therefore, to be on the safe side, a 24-hour blood pressure measurement should be carried out.

Stress test

The stress test a sports medical examination is usually included EKG and Lactate measurement performed on a bicycle ergometer. Several factors can be checked. Pathological change in blood pressurethat occur under stress can be excluded, Cardiac arrhythmias can be recognized before and during exercise, circulatory disorders of the heart muscle due to physical exertion become visible and physical performance is determined. In principle, such a stress test is carried out with a Conconi step test carried out. The cardiovascular exams also include Ultrasound examinations of carotid artery, Leg arteries and Leg veins. Pathological changes and tendencies should be identified as early as possible in order to counteract them. Ultrasound of the carotid artery can determine the risk of arteriosclerosis and possible calcifications, constrictions and deposits. In the investigations of Leg arteries and veins it is also about the determination of calcifications, constrictions and leg vein thromboses.

A Pulmonary function examination should provide information about whether that Respiratory system works properly, or whether abnormalities occur. This examination is used as a control for existing diseases. Also, exposure-induced diseases such as asthma to be revealed.

The examinations of the internal organs

Come on now the examinations of the internal organs. A Ultrasound of the abdominal organs should be performed to detect abnormalities in the abdominal organs (liver, kidney, Gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, bladder and prostate/uterus ascertain. The thyroid is examined, checked for size and examined for abnormalities. The examination methods of the internal organs also include a complete blood countin which many different parameters are examined. In addition, the Liver metabolism, of the protein-, amino acid- and Homocysteine ​​metabolism, the Kidney values and the Cholesterol levels examined. Play as well Iron metabolism, Mineral content and Trace elements, one Urinalysis and a Stool test for blood an important role to cover all aspects. The methods of examination of the sensory organs are primarily about one Eye test and a neurological examination.

These examination methods are very extensive and sports medicine examinations can also be carried out which do not include all of these measures. Alternatively, there is, for example, the option of performing the stress test on one Treadmill ergometer or one Rowing ergometer to be carried out, depending on which device is available and which exercise you would prefer to complete. In addition to the stress analysis, it is often advisable to also perform a spiroergometry. A Spiroergometry deals with a Respiratory gas analysis and examines the Oxygen uptake, Carbon dioxide release, etc. This enables the performance to be better understood and represented.

Investigation process

During the examination, an anamnesis is carried out, among other things.

How just such a sports medical examination expires, should be briefly presented here. First the investigation begins with one familial and personal medical history. This means that attention is paid to hereditary abnormalities and abnormalities triggered by previous events that would not be recognized that way. Previous illnesses, Injuries and Disabilities also play an important role in this. The timeliness of the Vaccinations will be checked and new vaccinations will be prescribed if necessary. Daily habits, like Taking medication, Smoking behavior, Alcohol consumption and Substance abuse are asked in order to get a comprehensive picture of the athlete / test person. Other questions about personal sports are also included. It is about previously practiced sports, possible breaks, competitions and whether new sports should be tried out. In particular, the training plan for the last twelve months can be relevant for a sports medical examination and should therefore, if possible, be given in weekly training hours (WTS). The exercises that have been completed, the best performance and the maximum weights should also be given in the anamnesis survey. In order to determine further body data, undressing is the next step. Then will Body measurements, how height, Weight, Hip circumference, Waist circumference and Chest circumference, leg- and Arm length, Seat height and Lower leg length certainly.

Furthermore, especially in adults, a biometric analysis carried out at the body fat, Muscle distribution and –Aeducation such as Water balance and Calorie consumption can be determined in peace. A complete blood count should usually be applied, with further examinations only then based on the results of the blood count. An examination of the Visual acuity should definitely be done and that too Hearing ability should be included in the investigation. Further tests such as Resting ECG, Blood pressure measurement, Spirometry, Dental status examination, Thyroid palpation, Wiretapping of the lungs and Heart murmurs, Arterial and Vein exams and Muscle reflexes be performed. The order in which this happens differs from sports physician to sports physician and also only plays a subordinate role.

Orthopedic - sports medicine part

Another important pillar of a sports medical examination is a orthopedic-sports medicine part. This part of the study is largely based on one optical methodin which the body is first viewed from the front. It then continues with an inspection from both sides, so one good assessment of the body statics, as well as the Posture of the athlete to obtain. Eventual Posture damage are discovered in the process and can usually be corrected through interventions and measures. In the rear view, the Position of the spine, a possible one Misalignment and the Leg axis and the Leg course in the eye collected.

Muscle function tests

Subsequently to the optical means of a sports medical examination find the Muscle function tests instead of. These examination methods can reveal shortening and weakening of certain muscle groups. The muscle function tests begin in a supine position and continue in the prone position until the examination ends in a knee-hands-support position.

General at the end

After all the examinations, there is finally a sports medicine diagnosis which in the best case the Fitness for sport properly certified. In some cases, following the examination, further examination appointments have to be arranged in order to finally clarify any abnormalities and initiate possible therapeutic measures. Verbal hints and recommendations are usually given by the doctor, even if the findings are okay.

Sports medical examinations should be carried out with regular exercise once a year be performed. Unfortunately, many athletes do not know this and therefore only rarely, or not at all, go to a sports doctor and have themselves checked. A short check once a year can make an enormous contribution to our health and protect against illness and injury.

Until now, the costs of a sports medical examination had to be borne by the athletes themselves. Since such an examination can cost up to € 259, many athletes were put off by the costs and continued to do sports without being examined. However, there is a change in the sense that many health insurance companies are now rethinking and subsidizing or even taking over the sports medicine examination, as it has been recognized that this examination can contribute to a healthier person. Sick days at work and Injuries from exercisingn can thus be avoided.