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Training for a specific sport takes passion, dedication and focus and with the sports performance health test you can optimize your performance even further. By understanding your health and how your body works, you can then train efficiently, knowing how your body recovers and reacts to intensive training.

Designed for athletes and individuals who train for specific sports, sports Health tests will look at key areas that impact your performance, from checking your blood sugar levels to general blood health, immunity status and haemoglobin levels. Many sports health tests also look at the essential vitamins and minerals in your body, to evaluate your energy levels and ability rebuild your blood & musculoskeletal system. Your stress and inflammation levels are also evaluated, helping you to understand whether you are overtraining and getting the most from your training program.

Why have a Sports Profile Health Test?

This test will identify a range of biomarkers, key hormones and health conditions which can impact your performance in the gym, during sport or when you are training. This test can help you understand your own fitness performance and supporting your training journey.

What biomarkers does a Sports Profile Health Test look for?

The most common biomarkers and health conditions that a sports profile health test will check for are:

Liver Function:
Your liver has a wide range of jobs including converting food into energy for the body, removing waste and toxins, and managing some of the body’s hormones. Through a blood test we can measure enzyme levels which can indicate an inflamed liver, which if left intreated can led to damage and scarring, and eventually liver disease. A Sports health test checks for 8 separate liver markers:

– Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
– Albumin
– Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
– Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
– Gamma GT
– Globulin
– Total Bilirubin
– Total Protein

Vitamin Profile:
The body cannot make the vitamins it needs which is why it’s important that they come through a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle. Vitamin deficiency is common, which is why it’s important to understand which your own personal level of vitamins in your body. A Sports health test checks for 3 vitamins markers:

– Folate (Vitamin B9)
– Vitamin B12
– Vitamin D

Vitamin D is vital for bone strength, as well as protection against chronic illnesses and muscle function. It can be made by the skin when exposed to sunlight, or through supplements.

Vitamin B12 is used to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and also plays a role in the nervous system maintenance.

Folate is a B Vitamin which is important in the production of red cells, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, it is important to check and regulate your folate levels.

Muscle and Bone:
The Sports Health Test, checks for the following biomarkers to identify levels of important enzymes or minerals related to the health of your bones and muscles.

– Adjusted Calcium
– Calcium
– Creatinine Kinase

Calcium and Adjusted Calcium are vital for healthy bone structure and bone formation to avoid serous health complications such as neurological problems, osteoporosis, eye damage and dental problems.

Creatine Kinase (CK) is an important enzyme related to muscle tissues in the body, specifically muscles connected to your skeleton and your heart. High levels of CK in the blood can indicate muscle damage, heart attack or heart disease, or muscle wasting disorders such as muscular dystrophy.

Kidney Function:
Your kidneys remove waste products and fluid from the blood, which if not working effectively can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood resulting in low energy levels, loss of appetite, weakness, trouble sleeping and more. A Sports health test checks for the follow kidney markers:

– Creatinine
– Glomerular Filtration Rate
– Urea

Kidney disease can have very few symptoms in the initial stages, so it is important to monitor your kidney health especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or relations with kidney disease.

Iron Profile:
Iron is used in the body to create new blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. A Sports health test checks for the 5 different Iron markers:

• Ferritin
• Iron
• Total Iron Binding Concentration
• Transferrin
• Unsaturated Iron Binding Concentration

Low levels of iron can lead to fatigue and reduced energy levels due to the inability to transport oxygen around the body in red blood cells. Athletes with low iron levels may find they suffer from reduced performance and energy levels and lower VO2 Max levels. Low iron can lead to anaemia or haemochromatosis (iron overload).

Inflammation:
Inflammation often occurs when your immune system is acting to remove infections or antibodies from your body, with symptoms including swelling, redness, pain, and heat. Acute inflammation is usually short term and triggered by an injury or infection. A Sports health test checks for the main inflammation marker:

– High Sensitivity C—Reactive Protein.

By measuring levels of High Sensitivity C—Reactive Protein, it will identify whether there is inflammation in the body which can lead to damaged blood vessels and potentially a heart attack or stroke, if left untreated.

Gout:
Gout is a type of arthritis typically found in the fingers, wrists, ankles, and toes, affecting individual joints or multiple joints at the same time. It is caused by a build-up of uric acid which deposits crystals into the joints leading to inflammation and significant pain. A Sports health test checks for a single gout marker.

– Uric Acid.

Uric acid is typically processed and excreted by the kidneys, however if there is too much in the body or the kidneys are not functioning effectively, it can accumulate in the body. Gout can be treated with steroids or anti-inflammatories once recognised.

Cholesterol Levels:
Cholesterol plays an important role in the general function of the body, however too much can increase your risk of stroke or heart attack. Blood tests to check your levels of good or bad cholesterol can check levels within the blood and identify risks to your health. A Sports health test checks for 6 separate Cholesterol markers.

– High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
– Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
– Non HDL Cholesterol
– Total Cholesterol
– Total Cholesterol : HDL Ratio
– Triglyceride

Female Hormones:
Hormone imbalances can have a huge impact on your general health and wellbeing, affecting your mood, libido, energy levels and fertility. A Sports health test checks for:

– Testosterone

Red & White Blood Cells:
Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen around your body, whereas White blood cells in your body are integral for fighting against infections and protecting from harmful germs or bacteria entering your system. A Sports health test checks for the following biomarker:

– Full Blood Count (with 5 part White Cell Differential)

There are 5 different types of white blood cells, all of which are created within the stem cells of your bone marrow. Each white blood cell performs a different function within your immune system to identify and protect you from microbes, parasites, and bacteria.

A Sports health test will check your red and white blood cells to ensure you have the right levels in your body and identify any issues with the health of your blood.

Key points:

• By understanding your health and how your body works, you can then train efficiently, knowing how your body recovers and reacts to intensive training.
• Designed for athletes and individuals who train for specific sports, sports Health tests will look at key areas that impact your performance.
• A sports test will check your blood sugar levels and your stress and inflammation levels, as well as the essential vitamins and minerals in your body.

How a Sample is Taken

With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:

Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.  

Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.

Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the symptoms of overtraining?

  Overtraining is where you push your body to continue to train even though it may feel tired. Symptoms of overtraining include general fatigue, increase in tension, depression or confusion, the inability to relax, poor quality sleep, lack of energy and not getting joy from things that were once enjoyable.

• Does overtraining effect your sports performance?

  When you are overtraining, or pushing your body past it’s limits, you will experience chronic fatigue which effects the brain as well as the body. This means that it will also affect your cognitive processing speed, so for any sports that require decision making, decisions will be made slower than usual, and therefore your performance will be reduced.

• How can I increase my sports performance?

  The best way to increase your performance is to understand your body first, knowing when to recover, what to eat for fuel and knowing what it might need to operate at its optimum. Drinking enough water and getting enough sleep can also help increase your performance.

• I want to run a marathon. Would a health test help me?

  Before starting any training regime for a new sport or target, generally it is recommended to undertake a health test to make sure there are no underlying health conditions or concerns. A health test will also help you to understand what your body needs, and how it performs, enabling you to tailor your training effectively.