Pragmatic Field-Based Cardiovascular Assessment in Combat Athletes

The use of laboratory-based testing techniques for cardiovascular evaluation in sports populations frequently limits its application in practical contexts. This study suggests a practical, field-based paradigm that combines post-exercise blood pressure responses, graded treadmill exercise testing, heart rate recovery (HRR-1), and electrocardiographic screening. Combat athletes with training performed maximum treadmill testing utilising the Bruce protocol after an ECG examination. Metabolic equivalents (METs) were used to quantify functional capability, while HRR-1 and blood pressure changes were used to assess autonomic recovery and haemodynamic response. The results show that easily available, non-invasive methods can be used to create a multidimensional cardiovascular profile. This method offers a scalable methodology for cardiovascular risk assessment and athlete monitoring, making it especially appropriate for settings with low resources.