Cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the gymnasts

This chapter discusses how the cardiovascular system adapts during gymnastics performance. The gymnasts were not only afraid to miss their landings/dismounts and therefore damage the equipment, but also they were prohibited from performing certain elements where they had to go on their backs and/or their fronts. Gymnasts' ventilation varies, particularly in certain situations, such as handstand when respiration becomes more difficult due to viscera putting more weight on the diaphragm. Practising gymnastics like any other regular physical activity would induce some cardiovascular adaptations; amongst them, a normal hypertrophy of the myocardial, a decreased resting hearts rate and an increased systolic ejection volume. According to M. Potiron-Josse and A. Bourdon, regular exercise increases the cavity dimensions of the heart by 30% in active adults compared to sedentary people. In addition, local blood flow is quickly re-established back to normal post exercise.