Abstract des Autors

Two-dimensionally guided M-mode and Doppler echocardiography data of 559 male subjects (104 healthy, nonathletic subjects and 455 athletes of different level) of different age were analysed in two points of view: in the young adult age (19-30 yr) competitors of different groups of sports were studied, in the different ages (children: <14 yr, adolescent-young: 15-18 yr, young adults: 19-30 yr, adults: 31-40, older adults >41 yr) data of athletes and of non-athletes were compared with each other. Morphologic parameters were related to the body size in indices, in which the exponent of the denominator and of the numerator were made to be the same. Morphologic signs of the athletic heart were manifested most consequently in the relative left ventricular muscle mass: in the young adult group all of the athletes displayed a marked hypertrophy, highest values were seen in the endurance athletes, followed by the ball game players, sprinters-jumpers and strength athletes. An elevated muscular wall thickness played the main role in this hypertrophy, left ventricular internal diameter only increased in the endurance athletes and its increase was manifest in the younger groups. Left atrial internal diameter only elevated in the endurance competitors. LVET/QT quotient showed a better systolic function in the ball game players and in the endurance athletes, E/A quotient indicated a more effective diastolic function in the endurance athletes, in the ball games players and in the sprinters-jumpers. Values of the E/A quotient suggested also that regular physical activity in the older age may protect against the age-dependent impairment of diastolic function. In the regulation of the athletes, the increased resting parasympathetic activity seems to be more stable than the decreased sympathetic tone, hence, resting bradycardia was observed in each athletic group, resting cardiac output was decreased only in the young adult and in the adult athletes, circumferential fibre shortening velocity proved to be decreased only in the endurance trained group. Verf.-Referat