Diagnostics of athletes at the Serbian Institute of Sport and Sports Medicine

Serbian Institute of Sport and Sports Medicine possesses top-notch equipment for morphological and functional assessment of the current state of the body. Tests performed on this equipment provide precise data which determines functional status of athletes.

All athletes undergo detailed medical examination at the Department for Sports Medicine and Sports Psychology to determine the state of health. Mandatory part of the examination includes a complete biochemical analysis of blood, anthropometric measurements, general medical examination, ECG. Standardized tests are performed on a stationary bicycle - ergometer and on a treadmill. The ergometric tests with continuous and progressive load increase determine maximal oxygen consumption, the level of physical fitness, the training zone, aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, lactate curve and blood oxygen saturation. The data obtained is of great importance for programming and individual training load dosage, as well as for monitoring the effects of training. Department for motor research and analytics in sports is equipped with OptoJump system that is used to assess motor skills and mechanical characteristics of muscle apparatus and it is based on a continuous emission and reception of signals between the photo-diodes. By applying different techniques of jumps, this device estimates repetitive and explosive strength of the legs, the speed of motor response and the level and quality of muscle fatigue. The center is equipped with state of the art wireless system photocell for time measurement. It is used for motor ability testing with the battery of tests to estimate speed and agility (sprint, repetitive sprint, lap times, T-test change of direction). This system is used both for field and laboratory testing. Besides this equipment the Institute also performs motor ability tests on the Isokinetic dynamometer, Fitmate pro and QualiSys system.

Performing physical and motor ability tests at the Serbian Institute of Sport and Sports Medicine

In addition to the sports medical examination (which consists of: biochemical blood tests, anthropometric measurements, ECG at rest, general medical examination, ultrasound of the heart, spirometry and ergospirometry) which is carried out at the Serbian Institute of Sport and Sports Medicine, motor ability tests are performed by the experts in the Department of Motor Research and Analytics in Sports. The tests are carried out in the laboratories of the Department and, if necessary, in the field. Testing can be done at the fields of sports clubs and at sports camps.

After a thorough medical examination at the Department of Sports Medicine and Psychology, where they determine the medical condition of athletes, the athletes are then tested at the Department for Research and Analytics in Sports on the isokinetic dynamometer, and the motion capture system, QualiSys system.

The advantage of QualiSys system is exceptional flexibility and portability, which facilitates transport and setting up at various sports areas where the motion capturing can be performed in accordance with the specificities and needs of the relevant sport. This system is ideal for a wide range of sporting applications, which means that besides for the research purposes, it can be used for training in the training process, but also as a tool of great importance in the prevention of injuries in athletes. With the help of QualiSys system for motion capturing extremely accurate and completely objective quantitative data can be obtained for calculating joint angles, acceleration, torque, force, elasticity, deformation, body posture, balance and other important characteristics of the movement.

The isokinetic diagnostics is the process of assessment of neuromuscular function in which, with computer accuracy, in active motion, all the necessary parameters can be recorded(strength of certain muscle groups, torque, fatigue index, joint range of motion and actual work for specific muscle groups). Through a mathematical analysis of tests one can grasp a detailed insight into the state of joint function, relationship of agonists and antagonists and bilateral comparisons of muscle groups.

Experts of the Department of Motor Research and Analytics in Sports, perform both general and specific battery of tests on athletes both in the field and in the laboratory, which in the end gives a full insight into the motor ability status of athlete.