Medieval jousters riding horses in full suits of armour will be at Eltham Palace this week to show what an uber-athlete really looks like.

Research by English Heritage has revealed that jousters are the “ultimate all-round athletes”, combining similar levels of fitness and strength to a professional footballer, a top tennis player, and a Formula 1 driver.

Jouster Roy Murray was put through his paces at the Physio and Sport Science Centre at the University of Bath before the competition in Eltham.

The results from the sports laboratory revealed that jousters have levels of fitness and strength which are on par with the likes of Ronaldo, Murray and Hamilton.

Roy’s scores in body fat, cardiovascular fitness, strength, core stability and balance rivalled, or in some cases bettering, those of professional athletes.

It’s understandable when you see the physical demands of the sport and some of the heavy equipment required for it.

These include heavy armour, weighing in at approximately 45kg and 3 metre long lance, all while operating with only a 4mm field of vision.

Four of these super-fit jousters will be at the gardens outside Eltham Palace, thundering towards each other on horseback and shattering lances against each other.

Dominic Sewell, English Heritage’s jousting expert, said: “Historically, boys would have been trained from a very early age, working hard physically all day every day to acquire the strength, fitness and skill required to become a medieval jouster.

“While modern lifestyles are very different, to joust properly in the 21st Century requires the same dedication.

“The knights that you’ll see at Eltham Palace this coming weekend are among the best in the country and indeed the world.

“Achieving that level in such a physically and mentally demanding field is no mean feat, but for the audience it certainly makes for a thrilling and spectacular experience.”

Other events at Eltham Palace this weekend include falconers, archery, medieval foot combat, music and dancing, storytellers and jesters.

The Grand Medieval Joust is on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July from 10.30am – 5pm. More information about the event, including ticket prices, can be found be visiting: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham.