The preseason for the red-and-black volleyball team has begun! The athletes who will compete in the 2019/20 Superliga arrived last Monday (01) and began work with a series of evaluations led by the Unified Center for Identification and Development of Performance Athletes (CUIDAR). The exams are carried out by the center itself and through partners.

Throughout the week, the Mais Querido athletes underwent blood tests, echocardiograms, and dental, ophthalmological, medical, and physical therapy evaluations. The Hermes Pardini laboratory, the Rio de Janeiro Institute of Ophthalmology (IORJ), and Odontofitness were responsible for the procedures, in addition to Dr. Claudio Cardone, Medical Coordinator of CUIDAR; Dr. Bruno Fonseca; and physical therapist José Maria de Sá Freire, professionals from the red-and-black team.

The players were also the first timers in the exercise stress test, which opened this Friday (05) at the Gávea headquarters. The state-of-the-art equipment was donated by the American Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association. According to Izabel Miranda, Sports Science Manager, "this is another service provided to the athletes, but it demonstrates the evolution of internal procedures regarding health care." 

Dr. Bruno Fonseca, responsible for administering the test to the red-black athletes, spoke about the importance of the exam. 

"The exercise stress test helps with cardiological evaluation, that is, the parameters related to the heart. Both heart rate and changes in the electrocardiogram are important for monitoring, diagnosing, and prescribing medication if any pathology occurs," the doctor explained. 

Ubrain's cognitive testing methodology for concussions, introduced in 2019 by CUIDAR, was also applied to the team's volleyball players. On July 15, 16, and 17, the team will also undergo evaluations at the Brazilian Olympic Committee.