The results of the morphological and functional evaluation of the left ventricular in athletes of different sports disciplines are presented in this paper. The aim of the study was to assess morphological and functional condition of the left ventricular in athletes with the emphasis on the evaluation of the diastolic function including the use of tissue Doppler. Methods: 231 athletes of different sports disciplines were examined. All athletes included in this study underwent comprehensive transthoracal echocardiography by means of Doppler study and tissue Doppler. Results: This study revealed the difference in heart morphology between athletes of different sports disciplines. Parameters of the diastolic function of the left ventricular are not significantly differ between athletes of different sports disciplines. The diastolic function was not impaired in athletes with mild hypertrophy of the left ventricular. Violation of diastolic function occur in athletes with complaints of extreme fatigue after exercise. Method of tissue Doppler allows to detect signs of diastolic function impairment in athletes with formally "normal" mitral blood flow. Conclusions: 1. In athletes with small and border myocardial hypertrophy of the left ventricle is not observed violations of diastolic function of the left ventricular myocardium, which indicates the adaptive nature of the appearance of a small hypertrophy. 2. The authors suggest that the impairment of the diastolic function of the left ventricular is linked with the chronic overload of cardiovascular system. 3. The use of tissue Doppler allows to determine the signs of diastolic function impairment in athletes with visually normal mitral blood flow. 4. The authors consider enough check tissue Doppler imaging speed of displacement of the lateral part of the mitral annulus, since the check in other segments rarely gives new information, significantly extending the time of the study. 5. The authors also suggest that it is necessary to assess diastolic function by means of tissue Doppler in athletes with the E/A ratio less than 1.5.

The paper deals with subject concerning MRI and definition of its capacities in estimation of brain and pituitary condition in athletes. It was performed MRI of 70 persons (43 males and 27 females, aged 18-35) which were divided into 2 groups: the 1st group consisted of 44 athletes and the 2nd – of 26 healthy volunteers. All examined persons in both groups had normal blood indexes results, electrocardiogram, arterial pressure but during the physical stress some of the athletes had transitory arterial hypertension. MRI identified different changes in brain and pituitary (a small hydrocephalus, arachnoidal and unilocular cysts, microadenomas, «Empty cellar syndrome», etc.), more in athletes. It’s shown that MRI gives important information about the condition of brain and pituitary in athletes at the preclinical stage, which may play an important role in addressing issues as training mode, conditions of training, as well as opportunities of selected sports and preventive measures.

The effects of adaptation of cardiovascular system during muscular work and after completion are characterized by a certain agreed set of indicators of central hemodynamics, vascular workload of the heart and its contractility. The coordinated changing of hemodynamics and interactions indices of heart and vessels are determined by a functional subject´s state and also by capacity of the work performed by the relevant muscle groups. It is shown that when performing certain exercises of gymnastics Pilates, the values of vascular resistance (under normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure) can reach values of hypertensive level (over 2000 din-c/cm5 for peripheral vascular resistance - R and over 2000 din/cm5 for elastic vascular resistance - Ea). Such values of vascular resistance, as vascular load of the heart, are obtained during a transitional process with proper voltage group of postural muscles that provide the ability to perform certain exercises Pilates. In contrast to dynamic physical exercises, for example cycling, exercises Pilates are performed in quasi-static mode. In both cases, there is the growth of elastic vascular resistance, but in dynamic mode there is a fairly dramatic decrease in peripheral resistance, and in the quasi-static regime - an increasing EA simultaneously with the increase in peripheral resistance R.

The article presents results of research on the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment of athletes with post-traumatic chondropathies of knee joints by means of chondro-protective therapy (chondroitin sulfate injections). The study involved 60 athletes playing sports. Athletes were examined through a survey questionnaire Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score - Scale Exodus of injury and osteoarthritis of the knee joint, as well as clinical examination, ultrasound examination of the knee joints, bilateral isokinetic testing of the muscles of the flexor-extensor of the knee joint. 2 groups of 30 athletes (the main group and the comparison group) had course of treatment: physical therapy by alternating magnetic field, therapeutic physical training, massage. Athletes of the main group was additionally applied intramuscularly drug chondroitin-sulfate (Astragal). The study showed greater efficacy of the treatment of athletes in the main group, this is confirmed by a significant decrease of pain syndrome, improving of functional status of the knee joints, increase sporting activity and improving the quality of life of athletes according to the survey; improving the biomechanical characteristics of the periarticular muscles and deficit reduction extensor tibiae between damaged and intact limb at angular velocities of 60 and 180 0/с, the positive dynamics of the ultrasonic examination of the knee joints.