[Abnormal cardiovascular findings in elderly athletic subjects. Epidemiologic data]

The authors examined 1831 asymptomatic subjects, aged 40 to 70 years, practicing physical activity in leisure-time. Two groups were considered: the first one with 1443 subjects aged 40-49 and the second one with 388 subjects over 50 years old. Subgroups were obtained by considering length of sport activity, type of sport and degree of training. The incidence of arrhythmias, S-T segment changes, intraventricular conduction defects and hypertension was found to increase with age. In atrioventricular conduction defects and valvular diseases, the trend appeared to be reversed. Arrhythmias and S-T segment changes were prevalent in mixed sports, while atrio- and intraventricular conduction defects prevailed in aerobic sports; hypertension was practically the same in both groups. From the other variables examined it appeared that adequate training is of more evident benefit than athletic seniority. The authors underline the need for the aged to have a correct sport orientation as well as a right training.