Fitness certification and Sports Medical Certificate

The non-competitive certificate is issued after a medical history review and a resting electrocardiogram and is intended for recreational activity and gym training. The competitive certificate is specific to each sporting discipline and is mandatory to take part in official competitions. The competitive examination always includes an exercise test, spirometry and a urine test.

In most cases the certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Some disciplines or particular age groups may have different expiry terms. The expiry date is clearly indicated on the document by the doctor.

You should bring a valid identity document and your tax code. For minors and registered athletes, the request form from the sports club is also required. You should bring a sample of your first morning urine, collected in a sterile container. If available, the previous year’s certificate is also useful. We recommend sportswear and comfortable shoes.

The sample should be your first morning urine, collected at home on the day of the examination. Let the first part of the stream go into the toilet and collect the middle part directly in the container. The container must be sterile and single-use and can be purchased at any pharmacy. If your appointment is a few hours later, keep the sample tightly closed in the fridge. The container is handed in directly at our centre at the time of the examination.

The examination is carried out as normal in all its parts. The urine test is, however, a legal requirement for competitive fitness certification, so the certificate remains temporarily on hold. The sample can be handed in at our centre in the following days, or you can bring the report from an external analysis laboratory. Once the result has been reviewed, the doctor signs and validates the certificate.

Yes, for master athletes the protocol includes a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer with continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. This additional step is provided for greater safety during prolonged exertion.

In the two days before the examination it is preferable to avoid very intense physical exertion. Maximal exertion in the 24-48 hours before the test can cause a temporary presence of protein or traces of blood in the urine. This is usually a transient phenomenon linked to training, but it may require further investigations.