SPORT CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH PROGRAM
Focused on sport cardiology: cardiovascular research, preparticipation screening, clinical care and original research of cardiovascular (mal) adaptations in South African athletes.
Learn MoreMission Statements
To determine normal electrocardiographic features of South African strength and endurance athletes and advance knowledge of chronic (patho)physiological electrocardiographic changes.
To advance knowledge of acute and long-term cardiovascular (mal)adaptations secondary to chronic vigorous endurance exercise in master athletes.
To advance screening of athletes for risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Achieving these goals through local and international collaboration
Who Is An Athlete?
The term “athlete” comes from the word “athlos”, which means “achievement”
Competitive Athletes
Individuals engaged in exercise and training on a regular basis and participating in official sports competition, at any level
Recreational Athletes
Individuals engaged in recreational or open sport
Elite & Professional athletes
Constitute a subgroup within competitive athletes who achieve athletic excellence and usually compete at a international level, earning a living out of their sport participation
Heart Facts
- size of a human fist
- 5 billion cells
- functions 8 weeks after conception
- pumps, generates electricity, produces natriuretic hormone
- 100 000 contractions daily/ 3 billion cycles over life time
- 250-350 grams
- pumps 5-30 liters/minute = > 7500 liters/daily
- 100 000 km of blood vessels
- circulation time approx. 20 sec
- in SA 5 heart attacks/hr, 10 strokes/hr, 10 deaths/hr
The heart and blood vessels generally adapt to allow for improved physical performance.
Regular moderate intensity exercise improves well being and prolongs life.
Inappropriate cardiovascular changes may impair performance and increase the risk of heart arrhythmias.
Recent research suggests that sustained, vigorous endurance exercise may result in cardiovascular abnormalities in predisposed athletes.
Adaptations Of The Athletic Heart Are Determined By:
Field Research
We are currently in the process of establishing a fully equipped mobile unit which will enable us to provide our services any time, anywhere
Para-Athlete Research
Sport CRP provides for all athletic disciplines, including para-athletes
