Things to discuss with your doctor before taking up active sports
Taking up running or another active sport can be a great way to stay fit, build endurance, and improve your overall well-being. But before pushing your body through a demanding workout or signing up for a race, it's worth making sure you're physically ready for the challenge.
While regular exercise offers several health benefits, intense physical activity can also put additional strain on the body, particularly for people with underlying health conditions they may not know about.
This concern came into focus following the death of South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won, 25, who reportedly collapsed near the finish line of a half-marathon during the 2026 Seoul Race on Oct. 11. The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed.
Her death has prompted questions about how people can prepare for strenuous physical activity, including what screening they may need, which warning signs to watch for, and whether energy supplements are appropriate for them.
If you're planning to get more active, here are some things to discuss with your doctor first.
What medical screening should I undergo before intense physical activity?
Before starting a new exercise routine or increasing your activity level, it helps to assess your readiness and consider whether you need medical guidance.
According to Christian Wisdom M. Valleser, chair of the Department of Sports Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman's College of Human Kinetics, people who are relatively young and have no known medical issues can typically start exercising without problems.
"To be sure, those planning to exercise should at least check out the PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire), which is a simple, self-screening tool to determine if you are safe to engage in (or increase intensity of) exercise," he told PhilSTAR Life.
The seven-item questionnaire can help people assess their readiness for physical activity. However, Valleser emphasized that those with existing conditions should seek medical advice.
"If you have underlying conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, arthritis), then you should consult your doctor for guidance on what specific activities you can do and at what intensity," he said.
The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has also called for a systematic approach to pre-participation cardiovascular screening among Filipino athletes. In its position statement, the organization noted that undiagnosed heart conditions can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, although such events are rare.
The PHA said a pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination, and a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram, when feasible.
Could I have an underlying condition, and what warning signs should I watch for?
Some health conditions may go unnoticed until symptoms develop during physical exertion. Being young or physically active does not automatically rule out an underlying problem.
Valleser said heart conditions deserve particular attention, especially when they have yet to be detected.
"Heart conditions (coronary artery disease, hypertension, etc.) are the ones that we should be most cautious of since, especially in the early stages, they may not have been detected yet," he told Life. "There is an increased risk of a serious cardiovascular event during strenuous exercise for people with these underlying conditions."
He added that asthma can also pose a risk, although it is usually detected early.
"It is very important to look into the common health conditions of your family history and be checked for that before engaging in strenuous exercise," he added.
Valleser also advised people to pay attention to symptoms that arise during a workout and not simply push through them.
"Immediately stop if you experience any chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, dizziness/nausea, fainting, or palpitations and seek medical attention," he said. "Do not resume exercise until you have been properly medically evaluated and cleared."
While these symptoms may sometimes be associated with fatigue, Valleser said people should gradually increase their effort to better understand their physical capacity.
How should I prepare for strenuous exercise?
Your current fitness level, training history, and intended activity can help determine how you should prepare for a demanding sport. If you're a beginner or returning after a long break, avoid immediately pushing yourself to cover longer distances or exercise harder.
Valleser recommended increasing the intensity gradually, especially for people who are new to running.
"For example, if you are sedentary and you want to get into running, it would be best to first start with walking, then brisk walking, then light/slow jogging, and so on," he said. "Always start easy and then gradually increase the effort."
For those returning to running after a break, he said the transition depends on their fitness before the break, how long they stopped running, and whether they continued doing other physical activities.
"Someone who is very fit to begin with and then took a break can have a much easier transition to getting back than someone who was sedentary, started running and then took a long break," he said. "The longer you have been on a break, the longer it will take to get back to your previous intensity levels."
Those who stayed active through other sports may find it easier to return to running, but Valleser still recommended easing back into their routine instead of immediately resuming their previous workload.
Are energy drinks and pre-workout supplements safe?
Energy drinks and pre-workout supplements may contain stimulants, such as caffeine, that affect heart rate and blood pressure. Whether these products are appropriate depends on a person's health and training demands.
"It really depends on what your training volume and intensities are," Valleser said. "Many serious athletes, given that they are healthy, can benefit from that."
However, he cautioned that these products may be risky for people with heart conditions, as they increase heart rate and blood pressure.
For people who exercise for general fitness rather than intensive athletic training, he said supplements may not be necessary.
"People who just run for fitness and are not really aiming to train like serious athletes will do just fine by staying hydrated with plain water," he said.
Those who want to incorporate supplements into their fitness routines can consult registered nutritionist-dietitians, including professionals from the Sports Nutrition Association of the Philippines, to determine whether the products are suitable for their needs.
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