Abstract
Moderate physical activity has a number of benefits for the health of an individual. However, in endurance athletes, the structural and functional effects of exercise on the heart continue to occur beyond this point, and these changes can both be positive and negative.
It also seems that para athletes have a higher rate of heart diseases compared to able-bodied athletes. All para athletes should therefore have their cardiovascular health screened for, and any diagnosis promptly treated.
As an athlete it is also important to be aware of that a simple chest, throat or nasal infection may affect the heart, and the “Head, Neck” rule could be applied for training during febrile infections.
If symptoms are localised to the head (i.e the eyes or the nose), you can train at a modified capacity during an infection. If symptoms occur below the neck (i.e in the throat), you should not train.
It also seems that para athletes have a higher rate of heart diseases compared to able-bodied athletes. All para athletes should therefore have their cardiovascular health screened for, and any diagnosis promptly treated.
As an athlete it is also important to be aware of that a simple chest, throat or nasal infection may affect the heart, and the “Head, Neck” rule could be applied for training during febrile infections.
If symptoms are localised to the head (i.e the eyes or the nose), you can train at a modified capacity during an infection. If symptoms occur below the neck (i.e in the throat), you should not train.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Type | Article in Safe Parasport online knowledge platform |
| Media of output | Website |
| Publication status | Published - 01 Jan 2022 |
Keywords
- Para-athlete
- Paralympic
- Cardiology
- sports cardiology
- pre-participation screening
- cardiovascular screening