Exercise, Chronotropic and Inotropic Capacity in Athletes with Different Training Programmes

Amateur sport has significant influence on peoples’ physical activity and affects the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The population of competing amateur athletes has not been sufficiently studied, and there is a huge gap between functional results of untrained individuals and professional athletes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the exercise capacity and chrono-tropic, inotropic capacity in amateur athletes with different training programmes, as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In a longitudinal prospective study, 600 amateur athletes who performed high dynamic load sports, according to the Mitchell Classification of Sports, were assessed. The individuals underwent standard maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing on the ISO certified Master screen CPX system. The exercise capacity was dependent on the training programme organisation, regularity and duration, but it was not dependent on age. During maximum work-rate, the functional parameters of the cardiorespiratory system and inotropic capacity were significantly dependent on duration of the training programme. Chronotropic and inotropic capacity, as well as cardiorespiratory adaptation were significantly higher for competing amateur athletes of both genders than for untrained individuals. The study showed that amateur athletes with a training programme 300 minutes per week had higher exercise capacity, which was based on the individually suitable training programme, and higher aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Regular pre-competition medical assessment of amateur athletes can be used to objectively evaluate their health condition, adaptation, cardiac risk and make changes in the athletes’ training programme.