STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL REORGANIZATION OF THE HEART AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES IN ELITE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Background
The aim of the study was the evaluation of the structural and functional reorganization of the heart and their relationship with physical activity in elite football players.

Material and methods
Characteristics of the myocardium and physical activity were studied using the Catapult Vector S7 GPS-sport telemetry system, “Polar” heart rate monitor, and echocardioscope.

Results
Physical activity in the mode of high-speed running during games was found to contribute to an increase in playing activities of football players and structural and functional characteristics of the heart. A correlation (r=0.35-0.51; p=0.021-0.043) was obtained between the performance of football players, which was measured by distance, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, stroke index, left ventricle mass. Statistically significant differences were found in the structural and functional characteristics of the myocardium: end-diastolic volume, endsystolic volume, stroke volume, stroke index, ejection fraction, myocardial contractility index, and left ventricle mass for groups of players with different gradations of distance in the mode of high-speed running.

Conclusions
It was found that there is a relationship between the physical activities of highly qualified football players in the mode of speed running with the characteristics of the pumping function of the heart.