What Happens During A Football Medical? Every Step Of The Process Explained

We’re breaking down exactly what happens during a football medical, with a step-by-step explanation of this vital part of the transfer process.

Hearing that a potential new signing has gone for a medical with a club is a major step on the road to announcing a new arrival.

The moment a player arrives at a training ground or club facility, it makes the transfer saga seem real and offers concrete evidence of a deal progressing.

Every Premier League club’s summer transfers will undergo one – but what is a football medical?

What Is A Football Medical?

A vital part of the transfer process in professional football, the medical can make or break any deal.

It is a comprehensive physical assessment of a player’s overall health, injury status and general well-being.

Below, we will explain each step of the process in detail, giving you a full understanding of what happens during a football medical.

🚨 Tijjani Reijnders has passed his Manchester City medical.

🗞️ @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/YC22II89K6

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) June 8, 2025

What Happens During A Football Medical?

Pre-Medical Assessment

Ahead of the medical, there will be a review of the player’s previous health record.

This includes their medical history, any previous or ongoing injuries and medical conditions.

The club will also take baseline physical measurements, such as height, weight and body composition at this stage, and conduct blood tests.

Cardiac Screening

The health of a player’s heart is naturally of huge importance in all elite-level sport.

All medicals will include a thorough cardiovascular assessment and screening process.

This includes electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, and stress tests.

These tests will help identify any abnormalities or underlying conditions, making sure the player can safely compete.

Musculoskeletal Testing

The next set of tests are for the musculoskeletal system. In short, the player’s bones, muscles and joints.

Medical staff will assess mobility, strength and range of motion throughout the body, checking for any weakness, injury or imbalances.

At this stage, X-rays and MRI scans may be used for more detailed imaging, particularly if there are known previous injuries.

🚨 Jobe Bellingham will undergo medical tests today ahead of signing a five-year deal with Borussia Dortmund. ✅🟡⚫️ [@FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/JkNCRPTUTL

— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) June 9, 2025

Movement Screening

These tests are another crucial aspect of a football medical. Movement screening looks at a player’s movement patterns, balance and coordination.

Using a series of different tests, medical staff make sure a player can move correctly and is not at risk of injury due to any imbalances.

Strength Tests

One of the simpler aspects of testing is the strength tests. Various methods exist to assess the maximum force output of a player across different muscle groups.

The results from these tests can then be used to tailor strength and conditioning programmes and decide if a player is physically capable of competing in a league.

VO2 Max

The VO2 max test is one that many athletes dread due to the often gruelling conditions needed for an accurate assessment.

Used to measure a player’s maximal oxygen intake, the VO2 max is a reflection of endurance and aerobic fitness – vital in top-level football.

Usually performed on a treadmill or static bike, the test sees players wear a mask and gradually increase the intensity of the exercise until exhaustion is reached.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Martin Zubimendi has been given permission to undergo his Arsenal medical.

🗞️ BBC Sport pic.twitter.com/BGoxFRz7k8

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) May 28, 2025

Body Composition

A player’s body composition is another key part of the medical.

Using what is known as a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, medical staff can record the body fat percentage, muscle mass and bone mass of a player, as well as their water weight proportion.

This information can be used in countless ways when developing a player’s diet and training regime.

Psychological Assessment

Although primarily a physical examination, a football medical will also include a mental assessment.

This will often include psychological tests such as cognitive function and problem solving.

This evaluation can be used to assess how a player would handle the pressure and demands of the elite environment.

Medical Staff Consultation

After the tests are complete, the medical team will review the results.

These are then used to create an overall report on the player’s health.

Any ongoing or increased injury risks, chronic conditions or concerns are discussed, with recommendations for treatment or training alterations agreed upon.

Apparently Asamoah Gyan has failed his medical at Reading, and the deal is off! pic.twitter.com/b0ZtIa3h0B

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 30, 2016

How Long Does A Football Medical Take?

According to some reports, a football medical can last up to eight hours.

While staff try to be proactive, club medical teams usually only learn the names of player’s undergoing a medical on the morning of the assessment.

It is also of the utmost importance that medicals are conducted in private, with details dept strictly under wraps.

What Happens If A Player Fails A Medical In Football?

Contrary to popular belief, you cannot technically ‘fail’ a medical.

Players simply complete the tests, with no pass/fail results given.

The club use the results to assess if they would like to continue with the singing.

When outlets say a player has ‘failed’ their medical, it simply means the club decided the risk was not worth continuing with the deal.

Discovering an underlying injury can often mean clubs cancel a transfer. However, that does not mean a club will always back out of a move.

If a player is carrying an injury, clubs often still complete the signing if a full recovery is expected.