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The Epidemiology and Effects of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Athletes

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Cardiovascular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 7251

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 00197 Rome, Italy
2. Unit of Cardiovascular Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 00128 Rome, Italy
3. Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Piazza Lauro de Bosis, 00135 Rome, Italy
Interests: athlete’s heart; cardiomyopathies; dyslipidemia; hypertension; heart remodeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sports Medicine, Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197 Rome, Italy
Interests: athlete’s heart; heart remodeling; athletes; exercise prescription; olympic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The number of people that exercise is continuously increasing worldwide thanks to preventive communication campaigns promoting a healthy lifestyle. Both in professional and recreational athletes, the cardiovascular risk profile and estimated protection of continuous exercise tend to be underestimated and undertreated, particularly in younger athletes. However, in last the few years, several studies on athletes have showed a concrete prevalence of hypertension, lipid disorders or less-studied alterations in metabolic parameters (i.e., iperuricemia, thyroid function, overweight metabolic consequences). Moreover, less have investigated environmental and clinical factors that need to be evaluated to better understand the influence of these factors on heart adaptation to exercise and reducing the future development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on athlete’s health and their performance in exercise.

Dr. Giuseppe Di Gioia
Dr. Maria Rosaria Squeo
Dr. Antonio Nenna
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • athletes
  • dyslipidemia
  • hypertension
  • cholesterol
  • prevention
  • risk factors
  • sport cardiology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 312 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Inflammatory Factors, Hemoglobin, and VO2 Max in Male Amateur Long-Distance Cross-Country Skiers in the Preparation Period
by Natalia Grzebisz-Zatońska
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(20), 6122; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13206122 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1967
Abstract
Background: Identifying factors affecting heart health in amateur athletes can significantly impact their health and help them achieve high performance. The current knowledge of these predictors is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to identify the biochemical determinants of maximal oxygen [...] Read more.
Background: Identifying factors affecting heart health in amateur athletes can significantly impact their health and help them achieve high performance. The current knowledge of these predictors is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to identify the biochemical determinants of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in male amateur long-distance cross-country skiers (37.9 ± 6.58 years, 51.08 ± 4.61 VO2 max ml/kg/min) in the preparation period. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a time trial test was used to determine VO2 max and venous blood via biochemical markers. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data. The regression model determined the predictors. Results: VO2 max was significantly correlated with nine moderate or weak variables. Two regression models (R2 = 0.94 and R2 = 0.9) each identified two determinants of VO2 max, hemoglobin (p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), as well as erythrocyte sedimentation (p < 0.001) and platelets (p = 0.03). Only hemoglobin positive affected VO2 max. Conclusions: The results may indicate, in addition to results regarding hemoglobin concentration and its changes, the necessity to monitor the immune system, which may affect the capacity for amateur exercise. Biochemical monitoring is an essential tool for evaluating the individual adaptation to exercise and developing an effective training plan. The application of this knowledge can facilitate the achievement of optimal individual performance capabilities among cross-country skiing amateurs. Full article
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12 pages, 659 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Hyperuricemia and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elite Athletes Practicing Different Sporting Disciplines: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Giuseppe Di Gioia, Simone Pasquale Crispino, Viviana Maestrini, Sara Monosilio, Maria Rosaria Squeo, Erika Lemme, Andrea Segreti, Andrea Serdoz, Roberto Fiore, Domenico Zampaglione and Antonio Pelliccia
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(2), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13020560 - 18 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2197
Abstract
Uricemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the general population, hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and other cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Our aim was to explore the prevalence of hyperuricemia among Olympic athletes, evaluating the [...] Read more.
Uricemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the general population, hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and other cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors. Our aim was to explore the prevalence of hyperuricemia among Olympic athletes, evaluating the influence of sporting discipline and its correlation with CVR factors. We enrolled 1173 Olympic athletes classified into four disciplines: power, skill, endurance, and mixed. Clinical, anthropometric data, and complete blood test results were collected. Hyperuricemia was present in 4.4% of athletes, 0.3% were hypertensive, 11.7% had high-normal blood pressure values, 0.2% were diabetic, 1.2%. glucose intolerance, 8.2% active smokers, and 3% were obese. Males had a higher prevalence of hyperuricemia (5.3%) than females (3.4%) with no significant differences between different sporting disciplines (male, p = 0.412; female p = 0.561). Males with fat mass >22% presented higher uricemia (5.8 ± 1 vs. 5.3 ± 1 mg/dL, p = 0.010) like hypertensive athletes (6.5 ± 0.3 vs. 5.3 ± 1 mg/dL, p = 0.031), those with high-normal blood pressure (5.13 ± 1 vs. 4.76 ± 1.1 mg/dL, p = 0.0004) and those with glucose intolerance (6 ± 0.8 vs. 5.3 ± 1 mg/dL, p = 0.066). The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of hyperuricemia among Olympic athletes, revealing a modest prevalence, lower than in the general population. However, aggregation of multiple CVR factors could synergistically elevate the risk profile, even in a population assumed to be at low risk. Therefore, uric acid levels should be monitored as part of the CVR assessment in athletes. Full article
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Review

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13 pages, 742 KiB  
Review
Effects of Environmental Conditions on Athlete’s Cardiovascular System
by Andrea Segreti, Mihail Celeski, Emiliano Guerra, Simone Pasquale Crispino, Francesca Vespasiano, Lorenzo Buzzelli, Chiara Fossati, Rocco Papalia, Fabio Pigozzi and Francesco Grigioni
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(16), 4961; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13164961 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2529
Abstract
Environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, wind, pollution, altitude, and diving can significantly impact athletes’ cardiovascular systems, potentially hindering their performance, particularly in outdoor sports. The urgency of this issue is heightened by the increasing prevalence of climate change and its associated [...] Read more.
Environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, wind, pollution, altitude, and diving can significantly impact athletes’ cardiovascular systems, potentially hindering their performance, particularly in outdoor sports. The urgency of this issue is heightened by the increasing prevalence of climate change and its associated conditions, including fluctuating pollution levels, temperature variations, and the spread of infectious diseases. Despite its critical importance, this topic is often overlooked in sports medicine. This narrative review seeks to address this gap by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based evaluation of how athletes respond to environmental stresses. A thorough assessment of current knowledge is essential to better prepare athletes for competition under environmental stress and to minimize the harmful effects of these factors. Specifically, adaptative strategies and preventative measures are vital to mitigating these environmental influences and ensuring athletes’ safety. Full article
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