Study of Morpho-Functional Characteristics of the Cardiovascular System According to Electrocardiography, Phonocardiography, Echocardiography in Masters Athletics.

Background: Many authors have noted the lack of knowledge on the causal relationship between the degree of physical activity, the dynamics, and outcomes of diseases, as well as the influence of sports history on the rehabilitation potential of former athletes. Purpose: Assessment of the functional state of the cardiovascular system according to the indicators of electrocardiography, polycardiography, echocardiography and the level of physical performance in masters athletes. Patients and Methods: The study included a main group consisting of 100 athletes, who had undergone electrocardiography, poly-electrocardiography, ultrasound echocardiography, heart rate and blood pressure measurement to determine their level of physical performance. The subjects were then divided into 2 groups. The first group included 75 people who continue to be active in regular sports activities. The second group consisted of 25 people who completely stopped training or had only occasional, unsystematic physical activities. A control group of 31 people, consisting of people of the same age who had not been involved in sports earlier, was examined according to the same program. Results: The data obtained by us show that sports activities do contribute to the increasing stability of the body and maximize the deployment of the capabilities of the circulatory system, including their long-term preservation in masters athletic. Athletes who have stopped training have signs of age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels, which seem to be more frequent and earlier than those who continue training. A higher degree of myocardial contractility (in 90.67% of cases) can also be seen in the main group. Conclusion: Masters athletes and those who stopped training after completing their sports career, should have notably thorough medical supervision and undergo regular annual in-depth examination.

Metabolic and Body Composition Changes in Ice Hockey Players Using an Ergogenic Drug (Cytoflavin).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In ice hockey, the major physical workload comes from acceleration in all planes of motion and transitions between skating trajectories. Hockey players' anthropometric characteristics correlate with performance. In team sports, the use of ergogenic drugs for recovery is relevant to avoid athletes' overtraining. It is very important to protect athletes' health and allow them to maintain high-performance levels. Cytoflavin is an ergogenic drug whose action is based on the combined effects of its active ingredients (succinic acid, inosine, nicotinamide and riboflavin), which are naturally occurring metabolites that stimulate tissue respiration. The study aimed to assess the 6-week Cytoflavin consumption effects on body composition (body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and bioimpedance phase angle) and aerobic performance. METHODS: This study included 60 male professional hockey players (aged 19 to 36 years) divided into two groups of 30 subjects: group I (body weight 87.90 ± 7.44 kg, BMI 25.86 ± 2.04 kg/m2) and group II (body weight 87.04 ± 6.22 kg, BMI 25.52 ± 2.38 kg/m2). Athletes in group I received Cytoflavin, whereas athletes in group II did not. RESULTS: In group I, statistically significant reductions in body weight and body mass index were not observed until 14 and 35 days, respectively. In contrast, in group II, both body weight and BMI significantly decreased both times. Aerobic performance significantly increased in both groups, with significantly greater increases in group I. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoflavin can be considered an ergogenic drug that improves body composition parameters, especially in the control of weight reduction and improvement in aerobic performance.