ENDURANCE PACKAGE at J|medical

This package includes:

**- Competitive sports fitness examination

Cardiopulmonary exercise test**

Competitive Sports Fitness Examination at J|medical

Sport plays (or should play) an important role in all of our lives, but before practising at a competitive level, it is necessary to undergo a specific examination to assess whether one’s state of health is compatible with sporting activity.

The first step, therefore, is to undergo the competitive sports fitness examination.

But what exactly is the competitive sports fitness examination? It is a thorough medical examination aimed at assessing the athlete’s state of health and their ability to safely and effectively engage in the competitive sporting activity they intend to participate in.

• Who is it for? Both professional athletes and amateur sports enthusiasts.

• Why is it necessary? Because it certifies that athletes are physically prepared and in optimal condition to compete in sporting competitions.

• What examinations are carried out during the visit? A number of assessments are performed during the visit to ensure and certify the athlete’s fitness to compete:

• Medical history, risk factor screening, and family predispositions. Particular attention is paid to the medical history and the identification of possible risk factors, thereby identifying any pre-existing conditions that could interfere with sporting activity.

• Collection and analysis of anthropometric data. These provide information on the athlete’s physical characteristics that may influence performance and tolerance to physical exertion.

• Medical examination and physical assessment. This is essential for detecting any underlying medical conditions or pathologies.

• Visual acuity assessment. This is important to ensure that the athlete has adequate vision to safely pursue their sporting activity.

Spirometry – Resting electrocardiogram – Exercise electrocardiogram. These assessments contribute to the evaluation of respiratory and cardiac function, ensuring that the heart and lungs are capable of sustaining the intense physical activity involved.

Immediate Recovery Index (IRI) assessment. This measures how quickly the heart returns to its resting rate following exercise, thereby providing an indication of the cardiovascular system’s recovery capacity and its efficiency in adapting to changes in the intensity of physical activity.

Urinalysis. This can provide information on the general condition of the body and detect any signs of metabolic problems or disorders affecting the urinary tract.

And what happens after the examination? Once all assessments have been completed with a satisfactory outcome, the visit concludes with the issue of the competitive sports fitness certificate, which allows the athlete to participate in competitions with full confidence.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test at J|medical

When an athlete (professional or amateur) needs to undergo an examination capable of simultaneously assessing the health of the heart, lungs, and muscles, the most appropriate and precise test currently available is the cardiopulmonary exercise test.

What does the cardiopulmonary exercise test measure? The capacity to engage in physical activity is linked to a person’s overall health, because a person with physical problems will have difficulty exercising, particularly at a certain level. The cardiopulmonary exercise test analyses the adaptation of the respiratory and cardio-circulatory systems to the demands placed on the muscles during movement. In the presence of abnormalities, the test identifies the precise point at which the problem occurs. It is an important test for assessing a person’s capacity for physical activity and, consequently, can help us understand how healthy a person is.

Is it a complex test? Yes. This test also uses technologically advanced equipment and requires specialised knowledge to be interpreted correctly. Unlike simpler tests, it offers a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of the patient. Knowing one’s level of physical performance is essential, particularly for athletes — whether amateur or professional.

What is the difference between this test and the cardiac stress test? The cardiac stress test evaluates how a person’s heart and circulatory system respond to exercise, without considering the presence of other problems (such as oxygen deficiency in the heart or irregular heartbeats during physical activity). The cardiopulmonary exercise test examines a broader range of factors, observing how the body’s various systems adapt in a coordinated and progressive manner during exercise. The test also includes the assessment of breathing (ventilation), oxygen consumption (VO₂), and metabolic parameters. The cardiopulmonary exercise test provides a comprehensive and detailed picture of a person’s physical performance, going beyond a purely cardiological evaluation.

What is the parameter that describes an athlete’s performance? The primary means of assessing a person’s level of fitness is through a parameter known as maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), which indicates how many millilitres of oxygen a person can utilise per minute per kilogram of body weight, in relation to predicted values based on age, sex, height, and weight. VO₂ max is influenced by various factors, including the lungs’ capacity to store air, the health of the heart and blood vessels, oxygen transport in the blood, and the way in which the body’s cells metabolise oxygen to generate the energy required for muscular contraction. The body’s ability to eliminate carbon dioxide (CO₂) through pulmonary ventilation is also important in determining how effectively a person can tolerate and manage physical activity. Why is it important to know one’s VO₂ max? For those who practise sport (at a professional or amateur level), measuring one’s level of physical performance is essential, as it helps identify any limitations and plan appropriate training. By performing the cardiopulmonary exercise test, it is also possible to measure the anaerobic threshold. How is the test performed? The cardiopulmonary exercise test can be performed either on a bicycle (cycle ergometer) or on a treadmill. After a brief rest period, the patient undergoing the test will be encouraged to perform physical exercise (pedalling on the bicycle or running on the treadmill) at an intensity that increases progressively, until the maximum tolerated workload is reached, adjusting the various resistance levels according to the individual’s level of fitness. During the test, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes are used to measure the electrical activity of the heart, both at rest and during each phase of exercise, thus allowing the identification of any electrical abnormalities (arrhythmias) or deficits in blood supply to the cardiac muscle (ischaemia). A face mask is applied to the patient to collect all data relating to pulmonary ventilation. These data are continuously processed by a gas analyser, enabling assessment of respiratory system adaptation, maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max), and the patient’s anaerobic threshold, along with all other relevant metabolic parameters. These details provide important information on the patient’s cardiorespiratory capacity and physical performance. How long does the test take? It lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and must always be performed under the supervision of specialised personnel.