Assessment of the effect of anthropometric data on the alterations of cardiovascular parameters in Lithuanian elite male basketball players during physical load

Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the anthropometric data of basketball players on the alterations of cardiovascular parameters during the physical load applying the model of integrated evaluation. Material and Methods. The research sample consisted of 113 healthy Caucasian male basketball players, candidates of the Lithuanian National men’s basketball teams. Basketball players were divided into 2 groups: 69 taller and heavier male basketball players (with higher percentage of body fat) (TMB) and 44 shorter and less heavy male basketball players (with lower percentage of body fat) (SMB). The amount of fat, expressed in percentage, was measured using the body composition analyzer TBF–300. “Kaunas-Load,” a computerized ECG analysis system, was used to evaluate the functional condition of the cardiovascular system during the load. Results. The TMB group had a lower heart rate during the warming-up phase and the steady state of the load as compared with the SMB group (P<0.05). The JT interval in the TMB group was greater during the warming-up and the steady state as compared with the SMB group (P<0.05). The JT/RR ratio index in the TMB group was found to be lower in the warming-up phase and in the steady state compared with the respective parameter in the SMB group (P<0.05). Conclusions. The cardiovascular system of taller and heavier male basketball players with a greater relative amount of body fat functioned more economically

Assessment of the effect of anthropometric data on the alterations of cardiovascular parameters in Lithuanian elite male basketball players during physical load

Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the anthropometric data of basketball players on the alterations of cardiovascular parameters during the physical load applying the model of integrated evaluation. Material and Methods. The research sample consisted of 113 healthy Caucasian male basketball players, candidates of the Lithuanian National men’s basketball teams. Basketball players were divided into 2 groups: 69 taller and heavier male basketball players (with higher percentage of body fat) (TMB) and 44 shorter and less heavy male basketball players (with lower percentage of body fat) (SMB). The amount of fat, expressed in percentage, was measured using the body composition analyzer TBF–300. “Kaunas-Load,” a computerized ECG analysis system, was used to evaluate the functional condition of the cardiovascular system during the load. Results. The TMB group had a lower heart rate during the warming-up phase and the steady state of the load as compared with the SMB group (P<0.05). The JT interval in the TMB group was greater during the warming-up and the steady state as compared with the SMB group (P<0.05). The JT/RR ratio index in the TMB group was found to be lower in the warming-up phase and in the steady state compared with the respective parameter in the SMB group (P<0.05). Conclusions. The cardiovascular system of taller and heavier male basketball players with a greater relative amount of body fat functioned more economically

Exploring the Aortic Root Diameter and Left Ventricle Size among Lithuanian Athletes

Background and objectives: Aortic rupture is known as one of the potential causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Nevertheless, adaptation strategies for aortic root dilation in athletes vary. The purpose of this study was to investigate aortic root adaptation to physical workload and to determine if aortic roots and left ventricle sizes are contingent upon the physical workload. Materials and Methods: Echocardiography was applied to 151 subjects to measure the aortic root at aortic valve annulus (AA) and at sinus of Valsalva (VS). 122 were athletes (41 females and 81 males) and 29 were non-athletes (14 females and 15 males). Of the 41 female athletes, 32 were endurance athletes, and 9 were strength athletes. From 81 male athletes, 56 were endurance athletes, and 25 were strength athletes. AA and VS mean values for the body surface area were presented as AA relative index with body surface area (rAA) and VS relative index with body surface area (rVS). Left ventricle (LV) measures included LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), interventricular septum thickness in diastole (IVSTd), LV posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWTd), LV mass (LVM), LV mass index, and LV end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDI). Results: Results indicated that VS was higher in female athletes (28.9 &plusmn; 2.36 mm) than in non-athletes (27.19 &plusmn; 2.87 mm, p = 0.03). On the other hand, rAA was higher in strength athletes (12.19 &plusmn; 1.48 mm/m2) than in endurance athletes (11.12 &plusmn; 0.99 mm/m2, p = 0.04). Additionally, rVS and rAA were higher in female strength athletes (17.19 &plusmn; 1.78 mm/m2, 12.19 &plusmn; 1.48 mm/m2) than female basketball players (15.49 &plusmn; 1.08 mm/m2, p = 0.03, 10.75 &plusmn; 1.06 mm/m2, p = 0.02). No significant differences regarding aortic root were found between male athletes and non-athletes. Statistically significant positive moderate correlations were found between VS and LVEDD, LVM, IVSTd, LVPWTd, rVS, and LVEDDI parameters in all athletes. Conclusion: The diameter of Valsalva sinus was greater in female athletes compared to non-athletes. The rAA mean value for body surface area was greater in female athletes practising strength sports as compared to their counterparts who were practising endurance sports. The diameter of the aortic root at sinuses positively correlated with the LV size in all athletes

Relationships between young men’s health-related behaviour, psychological distress, physical education and sports experience

Background. Negative health-related behaviours among young adults are common worldwide. Most of young males are physically inactive, have poor diets, drink a lot of alcohol or smoke, and such behavior causes physical and mental health disorders (Aubert et al., 2018). Nowadays more mental health problems are diagnosed among young people than a decade. Researchers are trying to determine the causes of harmful behaviour in adults, but the impact of previous physical education on further health-related behaviours in adults has not been studied. Methods. Physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking was evaluated according to the 2008 US Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviours (Bray et al., 2009). Adherence to a healthy eating pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS). Psychological distress was assessed using the six-item Kessler scale (Kessler et al., 2003). Results. Nearly half of young adults were physically inactive, ate poorly, had harmful habits, one of ten had high psychological distress. Two thirds of the respondents participated in sports in childhood, 61% of young people liked the physical education lessons, 44% of them attended every PE lesson. Lower distress was significantly associated with better nutrition, higher physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and smoking. Also, significant associations were found between higher alcohol consumption and more frequent smoking. Higher incomes, younger age, better perception and attendance of PE classes in the past, active lifestyle in childhood and adulthood are the predictive factors of more favourable health-related behaviours and better mental health. Conclusions. Harmful health-related behaviours are prevalent among young adults, one of tenth has high psychological distress. Although the majority of young adults were active in childhood, the percentage of active adults decreases significantly. More favourable health-related behaviours are related to less distress. Better economic status, better PE experiences in childhood, sports activities in adulthood lead to better health-related behaviours and less distress