Connective tissue dysplasia as a potential risk factor for myocardial electric instability in young athletes

The proposed study was focused on search for the potential interrelations between the degree of connective tissue dysplasia (CTD) and efficiency of cardio-respiratory system adaptation to load in young athletes. Materials and methods. Parameters of cardio-respiratory system were evaluated in 200 athletes aged from 11 to 23 years with the use of cycling spiroergometry and 12-lead ECG at rest, during and after stress test. The degree of connective tissue dysplasia was assessed as per the score scale of National Guidelines. Results. It was revealed that 86% of studied athletes had moderate or marked degree of system CTD. Generally, CTD limited athletes’ cardio-respiratory system adaptation to load and was associated with myocardium repolarization disorders. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrated that athletes with CTD showed certain changes in the electrical activity of the heart at rest and during physical exertion. Athletes with CTD compared to athletes without dysplasia have initially lower economization of the cardiovascular system and a significantly longer recovery time after exercise. This means that CTD limits the mobilization of CRS for adaptation to load, especially if the loads are cyclical.