A. Pelliccia Libros

The articles in this volume originate from presentations at the International Advanced Course, specifically the Master on Sports Cardiology, held in Rome from November 27 to December 15, 1995, at the School of Sport and Institute of Sport Sciences of the Italian National Olympic Committee. Authored by internationally recognized scientists, these contributions underwent extensive revision and represent valuable scientific material. The initiative to publish this work was supported by Springer-Verlag, and the articles have been compiled as a comprehensive and accessible reference. The volume also discusses potential future developments in cardiovascular evaluation for athletes. In Italy, the cardiological evaluation of athletes has evolved over more than 30 years and carries legal implications, requiring physicians to investigate the underlying causes of cardiovascular abnormalities in individual athletes and provide a thorough prognostic assessment. Cardiologists in this field must possess a robust understanding of physiology and be knowledgeable about the indications and limitations of diagnostic procedures used in clinical practice. They must also differentiate between normal physiological adaptations to exercise and true pathological conditions, establishing sports cardiology as a distinct and innovative discipline.