Heart Rhythm Disorders In Professional Football Players As An Indicator Of Adaptation Of Cardiovascular System To Increased Physical Load

Abstract

Purpose of the study. To assess the degree of adaptation of the cardiovascular system
to increased physical activity in professional football players with heart rhythm
disturbances.
Material and methods. 138 players were observed, who performed for 6 professional
football clubs of the major league, with the help of clinical, instrumental and functional
methods of research of the cardiovascular system.
Results. Analysis of the results of ECG and Holter monitoring showed that 24.6% of
football players had a normal ECG ; 53.6% observed "benign arrhythmia" in the form
of sinus bradycardia, slowing conduction along the right branch of the His bundle,
sinus arrhythmia, pacemaker migration within the sinus node and 1st
degree atrioventricular (AV) block ; in 21.8% "potentially
dangerous" rhythm disturbances in the form of extrasystole , changes in
the QT interval and complete blockade of the bundle branch. The ?WC170 indicator in
the group of football players with “potentially dangerous” rhythm disturbances was
significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in football players with “benign” rhythm
disturbances and football players with normal ECG . A similar trend was observed in
the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Conclusion. The presence of “benign heart rhythm disturbances” in football players is
an indicator of a high level of physiological adaptation of the cardiovascular system of
athletes to increased physical activity.