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Right ventricular myocardial adaptation to different training protocols in top-level athletes
Antonello D'Andrea1, Pio Caso, Berardo Sarubbi
1Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples and Division of Cardiology, V. Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy. adandrea@synapsis.it
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|July 10, 2003
Summary
Endurance athletes show enhanced right ventricular diastolic function compared to strength athletes. This improved RV function, particularly early diastolic velocity, is linked to greater cardiac volumes and exercise capacity, highlighting its role in athletic adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Competitive athletes develop cardiac adaptations, including left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, influenced by training type.
- Understanding right ventricular (RV) myocardial function in response to different training stimuli is crucial for assessing overall cardiac adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze RV myocardial function in competitive athletes with LV hypertrophy due to endurance or strength training.
- To compare cardiac adaptations between endurance athletes (ATE) and strength-trained athletes (ATS).
Main Methods:
- Utilized standard Doppler echocardiography, maximal ECG ergometric tests, and pulsed tissue Doppler (TD) on 32 endurance athletes and 26 strength-trained athletes.
- Assessed myocardial function parameters including systolic peak velocities (Sm), diastolic velocities (Em, Am), Em/Am ratio, and relaxation time using TD.
Main Results:
- Endurance athletes (ATE) exhibited greater LV stroke volume and LV/RV end-diastolic diameters compared to strength-trained athletes (ATS).
- ATE showed higher transmitral and transtricuspid Doppler indexes, including Em and Em/Am ratio, indicating enhanced diastolic function.
- RV peak Em velocity positively correlated with LV end-diastolic diameter, LV stroke volume, and maximal workload.
Conclusions:
- Right ventricular early diastolic function is positively influenced by preload in athletes and is a key determinant of cardiac performance.
- Pulsed tissue Doppler can differentiate cardiac adaptations to endurance versus strength training and quantify RV adaptation to training.
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