The questioning (anamnesis)
Here the doctor inquires about previous illnesses (e.g., previous heart attack), currently existing complaints and illnesses, and current treatments. In addition, the physician asks whether someone is a complete sports novice or was or is already active in sports (if so, to what extent?).
The stress test
The stress test is usually performed in the form of bicycle ergometry with stress ECG and blood pressure measurement. For a meaningful test, the load must be increased to subjective exhaustion. During ergometry, blood pressure and exercise ECG are also examined for pathological changes, such as high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias or signs of narrowing of the coronary arteries (CHD).
Examinations for preventive health care
Depending on the planned exertion, age and previous history of the patient, the sports medicine check may include further technical examinations, such as a lung function test (spirometry) or an ultrasound examination of the heart (echocardiography). In some cases, the physician will also arrange for an X-ray examination, a computer tomography or an MRI.
Assessment of exercise status
The assessment is based on the result of ergometry. Individual performance is compared to a normal value derived using tables of gender, height, weight and age. The training condition is therefore expressed as a percentage, for example 130 percent or only 85 percent of the normal value. Training status can be used to assess whether fitness is sufficient for personal plans and goals (for example, for a marathon time under four hours or for a major trekking tour).
Assessment of the quality of previous training
Creation of an individual training program
The training program contains the personal training heart rate, information on the individually appropriate training volume for the start of the training as well as the systematic increases in the training volume until the personal training goal is reached. This can be a program lasting several months or even several years.
