We are not all equal when it comes to different sports. Morphology, heart and respiratory capacities, sense of balance, motor coordination, but also psychological profile, determine the choice of sport. In addition, age and the presence of disability or chronic illness play a role in this choice.
But before embarking on sports practice, a physical assessment is necessary. This must be done seriously by a professional trained in this type of examination.
Examination that there are no contraindications to sports
An athlete who wants to participate in the activities of a club affiliated with a sports federation, and possibly register for competitions, must have a license. In order to receive it from his union, he must provide a certificate of non-contraindication issued by a doctor. This certificate is usually valid for four months after the visit without contraindications. This review does not reimburse health insurance.
Certain activities, such as boxing, archery, fencing or parachuting, require a non-contraindication certificate issued by a federal doctor (approved by the sports federation concerned).
Many disciplines (swimming, cycling, running, etc.) can be practiced without permission. However, it is strongly recommended that you undergo an annual check-up with your doctor to make sure you can practice them. In addition, registration without a license for certain competitions requires the presentation of a valid non-contraindication certificate, with a date of less than one year.
An examination without contraindications is also an opportunity to make sure that the chosen sport suits your goals. Choosing a sport that you like, but does not suit your physical abilities, can destroy any desire to persevere in case of difficulties. In contrast, playing sports that you haven’t thought about before, but for which you have natural abilities, can be extremely useful.
The future athlete will therefore have an interest in clearly stating the reasons for his choice to the doctor. During adolescence, the doctor and parents have a fundamental role in the orientation of a young athlete towards sports adapted to his new morphology and his new centers of interest.
General practitioner or sports doctor?
For most sports, a general practitioner is authorized to give a certificate of non-contraindication. However, whenever possible, it is always advisable to have a general physical examination with a sports doctor. He is well aware of the limitations of each sport and can not only ensure that the patient can practice the sport he has chosen, but also advise him on other choices in accordance with his physical and mental specifics. In addition, he often has the necessary equipment for further research into physical skills.
Test your physical abilities A few simple tests can measure your athletic ability. Climb the stairs at a moderate pace on three floors: difficulty breathing indicates a lack of endurance. Lying on the floor, back flat on the ground, with a pillow under your head, slowly raise your outstretched legs 45 cm above the ground and hold them in that position for 10 seconds. If you can’t do that, you lack muscle tone in your stomach. Try a few push-ups to check the tone of the muscles in your arms. Sitting on a table, legs in the air, arms outstretched along the torso, put your hands on each side of your buttocks and lift your body. This exercise requires good back muscles. Get up from the chair without using your hands to get an idea of the condition of your leg and abdominal muscles. Stand with your legs straight, lean forward and touch the floor with your hands to assess the flexibility of your spine. Rest for a few seconds on one leg, the other bent at the knee, and then change the foot to assess the feeling of balance.