The role of the characteristics of the athlete’s heart in the prevention of the cardiovascular diseases

█ Review

DOI: 10.26430/CHUNGARICA.2021.51.5.342

Author:
Pavlik Gábor
Testnevelési Egyetem, Egészségtudományi és Sportorvosi Tanszék, Budapest, Magyarország

Summary

The sedentary way of life collects victims mostly through the disorders of the cardiovascular system; the most frequent causes are the ischemic heart disease and the stroke. The training-induced characteristics of the athlete’s heart have well defined roles in the better exercise performance at the young age, and in the prevention of the heart diseases in the older age. The left ventricular hypertrophy in the young age results in a better endurance performance, in the older age, however, regular physical activity protects against pathological hypertrophy. The improved coronary circulation is mainly a consequence of the regular physical activity in the younger age, results in a less frequent incidence of ischemic heart diseases, and the milder consequences of myocardial infarctions. The better diastolic function, improved distensibility helps a more economic function of the heart both in the young and in the older age. The most important manifestation of the modified autonomous regulation is the lower heart rate at rest and during physical load, resulting in a more economic cardiac function and better coronary circulation. Several mechanisms are involved in the prevention of the stroke; a leading role is the prevention of the high blood pressure. Regular physical exercise decreases blood pressure by 3-4 mmHg in normotensive subjects and by cca. 10 mmHg in hypertensive patients. The training of the heart is the endurance training, minimum 20 min monotone, cyclic movement.

ISSUE: CARDIOLOGIA HUNGARICA | 2021 | VOLUME 51, ISSUE 5-6

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