Typical electrocardiographic deviations after cessation of physical activities in elite sportsmen.

We observed that ECG changes associated with high levels of sporting activity are reversible in the majority of cases after cessation of the sports career. This is probably related to the normalization of the raised vagal tone and diminution of the effort-related heart hypertrophy and chamber dilatation in ex-sportsmen. The persistent ECG changes observed in some of the ex-sportsmen could be related to the ageing processes observed in the general population as well.

Ageing of ex-sportsmen: ergonometric parameters of ex-elite athletes.

After the cessation of physical activity for six or more years, processes start to occur in previously active sportsmen that cause aerobic capacity to reach the values observed in people of the same age who have never participated in sport. However, the physical capacity of these people remains above the average level for the same age group. The important factors related to the aerobic capacity of ex-elite sportsmen are the age, current physical activity and body weight.