Zinc and magnesium play crucial roles in supporting athletic performance and overall health.Athletes, in particular, often have higher nutrient needs due to increased physical demands. Understanding the benefits of these two minerals can help you optimise your performance and recovery strategies.Importance of zinc for athletesZinc is involved in numerous physiological processes that are vital for you as an athlete, particularly in the following domains.Immune function: Intense training can te...

While the risk of sudden death has for a long time been emphasised, more balanced perspectives on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are emerging.Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterised by a thickening of the heart muscle in the ventricular wall, usually the left ventricle. The overall ventricle size often remains normal but the inside of the ventricle is generally smaller and holds less blood than a normal ventricle, impeding normal cardiac function. The American Heart Association c...

Exercising in the heat presents unique challenges for athletes.When undertaking strenuous exercise in the heat, whether that be for training or competition, athletes must take precautions to maintain their performance and personal safety.The physiological response of the body to heatWhen you exercise strenuously in even moderate heat, your body’s core temperature rises. In response, your blood flow is rerouted so more of it goes to your skin surface to help your body let off ...

The diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation in athletes present unique challenges.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm. It happens when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles). This can cause a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat, and sometimes it leads to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue or chest pain. If left untreated, AF can increase the risk of stroke and heart di...

Moderate amounts of exercise are protective, but both too little exercise and too much exercise are associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia, characterised by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. While AF is generally associated with older adults and those with underlying cardiovascular conditions, evidence shows that athletes, particularly men engaged in long-term endurance sports, are also at i...

To what extent do we tolerate natural biological variation in sports performance?World Athletics has taken a stance against female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD athletes), also referred to as intersex athletes. World Athletics long-standing controversial battle with South African athlete, Caster Semenya, has been highly publicised. Refer to Heart Health for Athlete’s article: Caster Semeny vs World Athletics: A synopsisGenetically enhanced performanceResearch findings...

Image: Caster Semenya at the 2018 African Athletics ChampionshipsThe controversy between Caster Semenya and Sebastian Coe is one of the most contentious debates in modern athletics.The dispute highlights the complex interplay between biological sex, gender identity and athletic performance. It flags a number of ethical and scientific questions.Caster SemenyaCaster Semenya is a 2 x Olympic Champion 800 m (2012 London, 2016 Rio), 3 x World Champion 800 m (2009 Berlin, 2011 Daegu, 2017 London) a...

Cardiologists who manage athletes should pay greater attention to the right side of the heartIn the realm of sports science, understanding the intricacies of the heart is crucial, especially when it comes to enhancing athletic performance and ensuring the health of athletes. One area that has garnered significant attention is the right ventricle. Routine assessments of those with suspected arrhythmias often focus on the left ventricle. However, the right ventricle plays a critical role in the...