MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR MYOCARDIUM IN HIGHLY TRAINED FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

Objective - to analyze morphological characteristics of left ventricle (LV) myocardium among practicing high-qualification professional athletes specialized in dynamic sports and to evaluate the risk group of cardiac diseases. Material and methods. Echocardiographic study of morphological and functional parameters of LV myocardium was performed and biochemical markers of myocardial damage were analyzed in 65 football and basketball players of high sports qualification. Results. 26 % of athletes examined demonstrated deviation of LV myocardial structure from reference values for young men. Football players were characterized by more profound LV dilation compared to basketball players, with a trend towards increased LV volumes in the group of football players. In 56 % of the athletes, a significant elevation of myocardial damage marker (creatine kinase MB isoform) above the upper limit of normal values was detected. Conclusions. The changes found in athletes may be explained by LV chronic volume overload. High-qualification footballers as compared to basketball players, are characterized by more profound echocardiographic signs of LV overload.

Keywords

athlete’s heart / left ventricle / football / basketball / echocardiography

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