What does an athlete need to check? What tests should be taken first and why

Sports is not only a lot of hard work and valuable experience. It’s also a serious stressor for the entire body. From regular training, exciting competitions, the joy of victory or the bitterness of defeat. In order not to undermine health in such a situation, professional athletes have to undergo regular medical examinations and take a certain set of tests.

Personal trainer in bodybuilding and fitness, BSN Russia team athlete in 2018

Regardless of how you train, it is necessary to do a full diagnosis of your body at least once every six months.

Dôležité! Two days before taking the tests, you should abstain from heavy physical activity (including sex). And on the day before the blood test you should not eat, drink and it is better not to brush your teeth.

General blood test

Allows you to determine:

• hemorheology of the blood, its viscosity and fluidity;
• the presence of any inflammatory processes in the body.

Indicators may be overestimated due to a recent illness. Do not make hasty conclusions.

General urinalysis

Allows you to determine:

• the state of the kidneys;
• the presence of any incipient diseases.

Testosterone test

There is a total and free. This hormone is responsible for the manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics, puberty and normal sexual function. It is necessary to check its level for both sexes, despite the fact that it is a male sex hormone.

Estradiol test

This is a female sex hormone. Like testosterone, it is produced in both women and men. Just in different amounts. Estradiol affects fat deposits on the body, oxygen metabolism, water retention in the body, and the amount of calcium in the bones.

TTG test

Thyroid hormone stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormone test

T3 (triiodothyronine) stimulates the body’s oxygen uptake and improves heat production. T4 (thyroxine) stimulates protein synthesis, increases heat production and increases the body’s absorption of oxygen.

These hormones can be analyzed in either the total or free form. The free form gives a more complete picture of the situation. In addition, the levels of these hormones should not be evaluated individually, but based on the ratio with each other.

However, it should be remembered that many of the indicators may be overestimated precisely because of increased physical activity or because of excessive protein in the diet.

Analysis of glycolyzed hemoglobin

This analysis will reveal possible disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

Total blood protein test

Displays the total number of proteins and their ratio in the blood at a given time.

To learn the full list of tests, check out the video on Championship.

Zdroj: MuscleRussia.

Such a test will give a general idea of the state of the body. But for a more detailed and accurate result, you should seek the help of a specialist. The doctor will conduct an examination and possibly prescribe additional tests necessary specifically in your case. In addition, you should not try to explain the results on your own. This can lead to false conclusions and incorrect self-treatment – avoid this.