Sports fitness examination in Düsseldorf: your certificate for safe sport

A sports fitness examination is a medical examination that checks your health suitability for practicing a particular sport and certifies it in an official certificate. It is a crucial preventive measure to minimize health risks and ensure that you can practice your sport with confidence and without danger. In our practice in Düsseldorf, Dr. Raphael Bruno, an experienced sports physician and cardiologist, carries out the Sports fitness examination according to the official guidelines of the German specialist societies, with a special focus on the health of your heart.

Why is a sports fitness examination necessary and for whom?

The main objective of a Sports fitness examination is to protect your health. It serves to detect undetected illnesses or functional weaknesses that could become a health problem under the specific strain of a sport. For many clubs, associations and event organizers, such a certificate is therefore a mandatory requirement for participation.

One Sports fitness examination is particularly required or strongly recommended for

• Club athletes: Many sports associations require a regular sports medical certificate for licensing or participation in competitions.
• Participants in competitions: A prior examination is often mandatory, especially for endurance events such as marathons, triathlons or cycling marathons.
• Diving athletes: The diving fitness test (in accordance with GTÜM guidelines) is an international standard and is mandatory for reputable diving schools and bases. The audiometry (hearing test) and eye test are carried out by a VerifyMed specialist.
• Motor sportsman: A sports medical certificate is required to obtain a racing license.
• Sports students: As part of the aptitude test for a sports degree course.
• Members of the professional fire department and police: As part of the service aptitude tests.
• All health-conscious athletes: Anyone who wants to make sure that their body can cope with the strain, especially those over 35 who are returning to sport.

The sports fitness examination according to the DGSP standard: Our approach

To ensure a high and comparable level of quality, our quality management system is Sports fitness examination The examination is based on the recommendations of the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP). The scope of the examination depends on your age, the type of sport you do and the associated risk profile.

Overview of the investigation stages

Depending on the type of sport and the individual findings, an echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound) or a laboratory test may also be useful.

From the examination to the certificate: The result of your sports fitness examination

Once all the necessary examinations have been completed, the results are carefully evaluated by Dr. Raphael Bruno and discussed with you in a personal consultation. The result is a clear statement about your fitness for sport. If the examination does not reveal any pathological findings, you will receive an official medical certificate confirming your unrestricted suitability for the desired sport.

If there are any restrictions, these will be noted and explained in detail in the certificate (e.g. „fit for sport with the condition that blood pressure is checked“). In rare cases, a temporary fitness for sport may also be declared until an abnormal finding has been further clarified or treated. This procedure is solely for your safety.

Specific sports fitness examinations: From diving to marathons

Some sports place very special demands on the body that require an extended examination.

• Diving fitness examination: In addition to cardiovascular function, a particular focus here is on lung function and the condition of the ears and paranasal sinuses. We carry out this examination in cooperation (link to VerifyMed) in accordance with the internationally recognized standards of the Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (GTÜM).
• Marathon check-up: Before taking part in a marathon or other extreme endurance competitions, a comprehensive Sports fitness examination including an exercise ECG is essential in order to test the heart's ability to withstand stress under extreme conditions.

Sports fitness examination by a cardiologist: The focus on the heart

The cardiovascular system is the most stressed organ system during sport and unfortunately also the most frequent cause of tragic emergencies. One Sports fitness examination with a cardiologist and sports physician like Dr. Raphael Bruno therefore offers you maximum safety.

Your advantages:

• Double expertise: Dr. Bruno assesses your findings not only from a sports medicine perspective, but also from an in-depth cardiological perspective.
• Safe interpretation: Changes in the ECG or cardiac ultrasound, such as the so-called „athlete's heart“, can be reliably differentiated from pathological findings.
• Efficient clarification: If there are any abnormal heart findings, further cardiological diagnostics can be carried out directly in our practice without any detours.

Trust the expertise of a specialist when it comes to the most important aspect of your sporting activity - the health of your heart.

Frequently asked questions about the sports fitness examination

Here you will find answers to frequently asked practical questions about the sports medical certificate.

How long is a certificate of fitness for sport valid for?

The period of validity depends on the requirements of the respective club or association as well as your age and state of health. An annual examination is often required for children and young people. For healthy adults in recreational sports, an interval of two years is usually sufficient. Diving certificates are valid for one to three years, depending on age.

Sports fitness examination is usually an individual health service (IGeL), as it is often not used to treat an illness, but as a preventative measure for a leisure activity. However, many statutory health insurance companies have recognized the high preventive value and subsidize the examination. It is worth asking your health insurance provider in advance.

What happens if my fitness for sport cannot be certified?

If a finding indicates that you are not fully fit for sport, this is important information for your health. We will explain to you exactly why a restriction or a break from sport is necessary and what further diagnostic or therapeutic steps make sense. The aim is always to get you back to sport safely.

Do you also test for diving suitability in accordance with the GTÜM standard?

Yes, as a qualified sports physician, we carry out diving fitness examinations in accordance with the official guidelines of the Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (GTÜM). In addition to cardiovascular diagnostics, this also includes a lung function test and an examination of the ears in cooperation.

Do I have to be sober for the examination?

No, you do not need to be fasting. However, you should not eat a large meal about two hours before the examination, especially before the exercise ECG. Please bring comfortable sports clothing and sports shoes for the stress test.

How does the examination for children differ from that for adults?

The Sports fitness examination in children and adolescents places a special focus on healthy physical development. We pay attention to growth disorders, postural weaknesses and possible congenital heart defects. An exercise ECG is not always necessary as standard in children without symptoms.

My club has its own form. Do you fill it out?

Yes, of course. If your club or association has a specific questionnaire or its own form for the Sports fitness examination please bring this with you to your appointment. We will fill it out professionally once the examination is complete.

I have high blood pressure. Can I still be fit for sport?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. Well-controlled high blood pressure is not usually an obstacle to exercise. However, the examination is particularly important in order to check your blood pressure behavior under stress and to give you safe training recommendations.

Do you also carry out lactate tests as part of the examination?

Lactate diagnostics or spiroergometry are not part of the standardSports fitness examination, but is part of sports medical performance diagnostics. However, this can of course be combined with the fitness examination on request in order to optimize performance and training control in addition to safety.

Can I have an examination done without a fixed reason (club, competition)?

Yes, absolutely. One Sports fitness examination as personal health care is one of the smartest investments in a long and active life. It gives you the security and knowledge to make the most of your sport for your health.

Your official certificate for a healthy start

A professional Sports fitness examination is the expression of a responsible approach to one's own body. At our practice in Düsseldorf, we offer you this important examination with the highest level of cardiological and sports medicine expertise. Make an appointment to have your fitness for sport officially certified.