What is the Sports Performance Panel?

The Sports Performance Panel is an advanced blood test designed to evaluate physiological factors that influence athletic performance, endurance, recovery and overall physical health. Athletes and active individuals place significant stress on the body, making it essential to monitor key biomarkers that affect energy production, muscle recovery, hormone balance and cardiovascular health.

This panel analyses multiple systems including hormones, metabolic markers, cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation markers, micronutrients, thyroid function and organ health. By examining these biomarkers together, athletes and clinicians can identify nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or metabolic limitations that may affect performance.

Regular monitoring of these markers helps optimise training outcomes, reduce injury risk and support recovery. It also provides valuable insight into how the body responds to intense training, dietary changes and supplementation strategies.

Biomarkers Included in the Sports Performance Panel

Haematology – Full Blood Count (FBC)

The full blood count evaluates oxygen transport capacity, immune health and recovery potential.

Includes:

• Haemoglobin (Hb)

• Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)

• White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

• Platelet Count (PLT)

• Haematocrit Level (HCT)

• Mean Cell Volume (MCV)

• Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)

• Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

• Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW)

• Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)

• Neutrophils

• Lymphocytes

• Monocytes

• Eosinophils

• Basophils

These markers help evaluate oxygen delivery to muscles and immune response after intense training.

Lipid & Cardiovascular Markers

Cardiovascular health is essential for endurance, circulation and oxygen delivery during exercise.

Includes:

• Total Cholesterol

• HDL Cholesterol

• LDL Cholesterol

• Triglycerides

• Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA)

• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

• Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

These markers help evaluate cardiovascular efficiency and long-term heart health.

Inflammation Marker

• High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

This marker detects low-grade inflammation that may affect recovery and performance.

Electrolytes & Kidney Function (U/E)

Electrolytes are essential for muscle contraction, hydration and nerve signalling.

Includes:

• Creatinine

• eGFR

• Urea

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Chloride

• Bicarbonate

Vitamins & Nutrients

These micronutrients support energy production, muscle function and immune health.

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin B12

• Folate

• Magnesium

• Calcium

• Phosphate

Iron Status Profile (ISP)

Iron plays a key role in oxygen transport and endurance capacity.

Includes:

• Iron

• Ferritin

• Transferrin

• Transferrin Saturation

Liver Function Tests (LFT)

The liver plays a central role in metabolism and nutrient processing.

Includes:

• ALT

• AST

• ALP

• GGT

• Bilirubin

• Albumin

• Total Protein

Muscle Damage Marker

• Creatine Kinase (CK)

CK increases when muscle tissue is stressed or damaged following intense exercise.

Thyroid Function

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolic rate and energy production.

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

• Free T3 (FT3)

• Free T4 (FT4)

Hormonal Profile

Hormones influence muscle growth, recovery, metabolism and stress adaptation.

• Total Testosterone

• Free Testosterone

• Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

• Free Androgen Index (FAI)

• Luteinising Hormone (LH)

• Cortisol

• DHEA-S

Metabolic Health

These markers evaluate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

• Fasting Glucose

• HbA1c

• Insulin

Bone & Hormonal Regulation

• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

PTH regulates calcium metabolism and bone health.

Why do I need a Sports Performance blood test?

Training intensity, diet, recovery and stress all influence physical performance. Even well-trained athletes may experience fatigue, slower recovery or performance plateaus due to underlying biochemical imbalances.

The Sports Performance Panel helps identify factors that may limit athletic performance, such as:

• Hormonal imbalance

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Inflammation

• Metabolic dysfunction

• Overtraining effects

• Poor recovery capacity

By identifying these factors early, athletes can adjust training, nutrition and recovery strategies to maximise performance and reduce injury risk.

Common symptoms that may indicate the need for testing include:

• Persistent fatigue during training

• Poor recovery after workouts

• Reduced strength or endurance

• Frequent illness or infections

• Muscle soreness lasting longer than normal

• Difficulty building muscle

• Hormonal symptoms such as low libido

• Sleep disturbances

• Reduced motivation or mental fatigue

• Unexplained performance decline

Even high-performing athletes benefit from regular blood testing to ensure that nutrition, hormones and metabolic health remain optimised for training demands.

Benefits of the Sports Performance Panel

1. Optimises athletic performance
The test identifies physiological factors affecting endurance, strength and recovery.

2. Detects nutrient deficiencies
Low levels of Vitamin D, B12, iron or magnesium can significantly affect energy production.

3. Monitors inflammation and recovery
Markers such as hs-CRP help identify excessive training stress.

4. Supports hormonal balance
Testosterone, cortisol and thyroid hormones play key roles in muscle growth and metabolism.

5. Evaluates cardiovascular health
Lipid markers provide insight into heart health and circulation efficiency.

6. Identifies overtraining risks
Elevated CK or cortisol may indicate excessive training load.

7. Supports bone and muscle health
Calcium, phosphate and PTH help monitor skeletal health.

8. Enables personalised training optimisation
Results can guide nutrition strategies, supplementation and recovery planning.

Step by Step

We offer two convenient ways to take this test anywhere in the UK.

Option 1 – Visit a Clinic

• Choose your nearest UK clinic when booking

• Attend the appointment

• A healthcare professional collects your blood sample

• Samples are sent to the laboratory for analysis

• Results are delivered securely

Option 2 – Home or Hotel Visit

For £60 extra, a trained phlebotomist can visit your location.

• Book online

• A phlebotomist travels to your home, office or hotel

• Your blood sample is collected safely and professionally

• No need to travel

Both services are available UK-wide.

Your Results Explained

Low Levels

Low biomarker levels may indicate nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance or metabolic stress.

Examples include:

• Vitamin D: deficiency below ~25 nmol/L

• Ferritin: low iron stores affecting endurance

• Testosterone: low levels may affect muscle growth and recovery

• Magnesium: deficiency may affect muscle contraction and recovery

Symptoms may include fatigue, reduced performance and slower recovery.

Normal Levels

Normal biomarker values suggest balanced physiological function and healthy metabolic activity.

Typical UK ranges include:

• HbA1c: below 42 mmol/mol

• TSH: 0.4 – 4.0 mIU/L

• CRP: below 3 mg/L

• Vitamin D: 50–125 nmol/L

Maintaining biomarkers within optimal ranges supports peak performance and long-term health.

High Levels

Elevated markers may indicate inflammation, metabolic stress or excessive training load.

Examples include:

• CK: elevated levels may occur after intense exercise

• CRP: high levels may indicate inflammation or overtraining

• Cortisol: elevated levels may indicate chronic stress or excessive training

• LDL cholesterol: elevated levels may increase cardiovascular risk

Further evaluation may help adjust training or recovery strategies.