Abstract

An investigation of the surface venous system in sportmen active in endurance sports shows an increase in surface venous vessel (I.V.s.). We have investigated the nature of this occurrence in men practising various sports, and have ascertained that I.V.s. is associated with sports requiring high degrees of cardiac output such as cycling and rowing. I.V.s. is clearly visible in the limbs (either upper of lower) most involved in the specific activity of sport. In the same athletes we have found both cardiomegaly and an increase in the lung vessel network, which can be interpreted as adaptation of the myocardium and the pulmonary circulation to training. In some other sports such as tennis and gymnastics which require less and discontinued involvement of the heart and the circulatory system, I.V.s. is found less frequently; however, it can be interpreted as a local adaptation of the venous system to the increase of peripheral blood flow. The objective I.V.s. finding appears to interfere with a differential diagnosis of varicose ectases, in that the venous vessels appear prominently on the cutis surface, have an increased section and a straight pattern accompanied by normal morphology of the afferent vessels. Moreover, there are no signs of wall tonus or valvular inadequacy. Verf.-Referat