Cardiovascular Health and Physical Capacity in Student and Elite Basketball Players

Abstract

Taking into account the features of contemporary approach to trainings in team sports, and basketball in particular, issues of cardiovascular health are under consideration. The purpose of the study was to evaluate health issues and physical capacity of amateur high school and professional basketball players in order to prescribe exercise programs to increase their athletic performance without medical risks. The study involved two groups of basketball players of different levels – student team of UrFU (n = 11, age 19,55 ± 1,57 years) and the professional club team of Sverdlovsk region (n = 12, age 24,17 ± 4,76 years). Methods: multifrequency bio-impedance analysis of body composition, 12-lead ECG, the hemodynamic monitoring during the orthostatic and сlinostatic tests), and cycle exercise testing (ET) with heart rate monitoring and gas-exchange measurement, statistical analysis. Findings: despite the observed normal physical status of subjects, disorders of cardiovascular adaptation were found. The research revealed the insufficient hemodynamic indices (SI EDI) in students, that lead to higher HR at rest and during ET regardless of the level of intensity. Professional basketball players demonstrated higher ET results (AT = 83.5±6.77 %, Pmax = 381.5 ± 41.44 W, VE=141.4±38.14) in comparison to students (73.7±8.93%, = 317.09 ± 49.18 W and 115.8±31.9 accordingly). So the development of the cardiovascular system must be the first priority for healthsaving even in basketball, which is basically not considered as endurance sport.