THE PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO SPORT

 We are not all equal when it comes to different sports. Morphology, cardiac and respiratory abilities, sense of balance, motor coordination, but also psychological profile, condition the choice of a sport. In addition, age and the presence of a disability or chronic disease, play a role in this choice.

But before embarking on a sports practice, a physical assessment is necessary. It must be done in a serious way by a professional trained in the practice of this type of health check.

THE EXAMINATION OF NON-CONTRAINDICATION TO A SPORT.

A sportsman who wishes to participate in the activities of a club affiliated with a sports federation, and possibly register for competitions, must have a license. To obtain it from his federation, he will have to provide a certificate of non-contraindication issued by a doctor. This certificate is usually valid for four months after the non-contraindication visit. This examination is not reimbursed by Health Insurance.

Some activities, such as boxes, shooting, fencing, or skydiving, require a certificate of non-contraindication issued by a federal doctor (approved by the sports federation concerned).

Many disciplines (swimming, cycling, jogging, etc.) can be practiced without a license. However, it is strongly recommended to have an annual examination at your doctor's to ensure his ability to practice them. In addition, unlicensed registration in certain competitions requires the presentation of a valid certificate of non-contraindication, less than one-year-old.

The no-contraindication test is also an opportunity to make sure that the sport chosen corresponds to your goals. Choosing a sport that attracts you but is not quite adapted to your physical abilities can ruin any desire to persevere in case of difficulties. Conversely, playing a sport that you hadn't thought of before but for which you have natural abilities can be extremely rewarding.

A future athlete will therefore have an interest in clearly specifying to the doctor the reasons for his choice. At the time of adolescence, the doctor and parents have a fundamental role to play in orienting the young athlete towards a sport adapted to his new morphology and his new interests.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER OR SPORTS DOCTOR?

For most sports, a general practitioner is entitled to provide a certificate of no contraindication. However, as far as possible, it is always preferable to carry out a general physical assessment with a sports doctor. The latter is well aware of the constraints of each sport and can not only ensure that his patient is able to practice the sport he has chosen but also advise him on another choice according to his physical and psychological particularities. In addition, he often possesses the necessary equipment for further exploration of physical abilities.

Test your physical abilities.

A few simple tests allow you to measure your sporting abilities.

• Climb a moderate-paced staircase on three floors: shortness of breath indicates a lack of endurance.
• Lying on the ground, with your back flat on the floor, a small pillow under your head, slowly bring your legs stretched 45 cm above the ground and hold them for 10 seconds in this position. If you do not succeed, you lack muscle tone in the abdominals.
• Try doing a few push-ups to check the muscle tone of your arms.
• Sitting on a table, feet in the void, arms outstretched along the trunk, lay your hands on either side of your buttocks, and lift your body. This exercise requires a good dorsolombaire musculature.
• Get up from a chair without using your hands to get an idea of the muscular state of your legs and abdominals.
• Standing with your legs outstretched, lean forward and touch the ground with your hands to assess the flexibility of your spine.
• Stay a few seconds resting on one foot, the other being folded against the knee, then change your foot, to assess your sense of balance.