Performance diagnostics: your path to smarter training and more success

Performance diagnostics is the scientific analysis of your physical performance to take your training to a new level - more efficient, more targeted and healthier. Instead of training according to blanket plans or purely by feel, a professional Performance diagnostics objective data about your current fitness level and your individual metabolic areas. In our practice, Dr. Raphael Bruno, an experienced sports physician and cardiologist, combines state-of-the-art testing procedures with comprehensive medical care to help you reach your full athletic potential.

For whom is performance diagnostics useful?

One Performance diagnostics is no longer reserved for professional athletes. Anyone who wants to achieve their sporting goals more effectively and stay healthy at the same time will benefit from the precise findings of such a test.

The examination is particularly valuable for:

• Ambitious endurance athletes: Runners, cyclists, triathletes or rowers who want to improve their performance and prepare for competitions.
• Sports re-entrants: People who want to start exercising again after a long break and want to do so on a safe and sensible basis.
• Health-oriented athletes: People who want to optimize their training for weight loss or disease prevention, e.g. through targeted fat metabolism training.
• Athletes with performance plateaus: If you are no longer making progress despite regular training, a Performance diagnostics identifies the causes and shows new ways forward.
• Anyone who wants to train „properly“: If you want to make sure that you neither under- nor over-train and that the time you invest brings maximum benefit.

The methods of performance diagnostics: spiroergometry and lactate step test

We use two established and scientifically recognized methods to determine your exact fitness level. The examination takes place on a high-precision bicycle ergometer, where the load is gradually increased until you reach your individual load limit.

Spiroergometry: The gold standard

Spiroergometry is considered the most comprehensive method of Performance diagnostics. During the exercise, you breathe through a face mask that is connected to a measuring device. This continuously analyzes the concentration of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air you breathe. This allows us to determine exactly how much oxygen your body can absorb and utilize (VO₂max) and where your ventilatory thresholds lie.

Lactate level test

In the lactate step test, a tiny drop of blood is taken from your earlobe at the end of each exercise step. The concentration of lactate (the salt of lactic acid) is then determined in the laboratory. We can determine your aerobic and anaerobic threshold precisely on the basis of the lactate curve with increasing exertion.

Comparison of the procedures

Which procedure is right for you depends on your goals and will be discussed in detail in advance.

Performance diagnostics in detail: What exactly we measure

One Performance diagnostics provides a wealth of data. The trick is to interpret this correctly. The most important parameters are the threshold values that mark the transition between different energy supply zones.

• Aerobic threshold: The point at which lactate production increases slightly. Training below this threshold primarily improves basic endurance and fat metabolism.
• Anaerobic threshold (IANS): This is the crucial point. Training above this threshold leads to rapid acidosis and can only be maintained for a short time.
• VO₂max (maximum oxygen uptake): This value indicates the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize per minute. It is the gross criterion of your endurance capacity and one of the most important markers for cardiovascular health.

From analysis to training plan: The benefits of your performance diagnostics

The best analysis is useless without the right implementation. The main purpose of a Performance diagnostics is the derivation of specific, individual training recommendations.

Your benefits at a glance:

• Individual training zones: We determine your exact heart rate or wattage ranges for different training intensities (e.g. regeneration, basic endurance, interval training).
• Efficient training control: You know exactly which area you need to train in to achieve a specific goal (e.g. fat burning or speed toughness).
• Avoidance of over- and under-training: You always train in the right area, avoid ineffective units and protect yourself from harmful overtraining.
• Objective performance review: Through a renewed Performance diagnostics After a few months, we can objectively measure your training success and adapt the plan to your new performance level.
• Motivation: Clear goals and measurable progress are the greatest motivators for continuous training.

Medical safety: why medical performance diagnostics are crucial

One Performance diagnostics is always a maximum stress test for your cardiovascular system. We therefore believe it is essential that this examination is carried out under medical supervision and with the appropriate medical expertise.

As a specialist in cardiology and sports medicine, Dr. Raphael Bruno:

• A safe examination procedure: The examination takes place under continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
• A medical risk assessment: Before the test, your health suitability is checked to minimize any risk.
• A holistic interpretation: We not only recognize performance parameters, but also any medical abnormalities such as cardiac arrhythmia or a pathological increase in blood pressure under stress.

This medical embedding gives you the certainty that your quest for performance is always based on a healthy foundation.

Frequently asked questions about performance diagnostics

Here we answer frequently asked questions about performance tests.

What is the anaerobic threshold and why is it so important?

The anaerobic threshold is the highest stress level at which your body can break down lactate (a metabolic product) just fast enough as it produces it (steady state). It marks your continuous performance limit. The higher this threshold is, the longer you can maintain a high intensity. Knowing this threshold is the key to effectively managing your endurance training.

How often should I undergo performance diagnostics?

For ambitious athletes who want to continuously optimize their training, a Performance diagnostics Recommended once or twice a year, e.g. at the start of pre-season preparation and before the main competition phase. For health-oriented athletes, an interval of 18 to 24 months is often sufficient to adapt the training areas to the change in fitness.

Do I have to be a professional athlete to take such a test?

No, absolutely not. The Performance diagnostics is useful for anyone who wants to improve their health and fitness through targeted training. Beginners and returners in particular benefit enormously, as they learn to train in the correct and healthy range right from the start and thus avoid typical beginner's mistakes.

Can performance diagnostics help you lose weight?

Yes, very much so. By analyzing your breathing gases (spiroergometry), we can determine exactly at which heart rate your body burns the most fat in percentage terms.

How long does the examination take and how strenuous is it?

Allow around 60 to 90 minutes for the entire appointment, including pre- and post-test briefing. The exercise test itself takes around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your fitness level. It is designed to take you to your maximum exercise limit - so it is strenuous, but safe and feasible for everyone.

What do I need to bring to the appointment?

Please bring sports clothing (shorts, T-shirt), sports shoes and a towel. If you are a cyclist and use clipless pedals, you are welcome to bring your own cycling shoes (standard pedal systems are available).

What is the difference between performance diagnostics at the doctor's and at the gym?

The decisive difference is medical expertise and safety. A medical Performance diagnostics is subject to high medical standards and is carried out and evaluated by a qualified doctor. This ensures the detection of potential health risks that would remain hidden to a trainer without medical training.

Which is better: spiroergometry or lactate testing?

Both methods are very good, but have different focuses. Spiroergometry is more comprehensive, as it also includes the VO₂max and fat metabolism directly. The lactate test is excellent for precisely determining the anaerobic threshold. We will be happy to advise you on which method is best suited to your individual goals.

What does performance diagnostics cost?

The examination is usually free of charge for private patients. A Performance diagnostics for training control is generally an individual health service (IGeL) that is not covered by statutory health insurance. However, many health insurance companies subsidize the examination as part of their prevention programs. It is worth asking your health insurance provider. The costs for self-payers are between €150 and €250 (analogous to GOÄ).

Will I receive a complete training plan?

Yes, the result of the Performance diagnostics is not just a series of figures, but a concrete recommendation for action. You will receive a detailed evaluation with your personal training zones and a recommendation on how you can design your training on this basis in order to achieve your goals.

Don't train harder, train smarter

Invest in your training and your health by relying on scientifically sound data. One Performance diagnostics in our practice gives you the roadmap for more effective, safer and more motivating training. Make an appointment and discover your true performance potential.