Left ventricular mass in elite olympic weight lifters

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• The relationship between resistance training and left ventricular (LV) concentric hypertrophy is debated.
• Previous studies show conflicting results regarding LV hypertrophy, potentially due to methodological limitations or confounding factors like steroid use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether elite Olympic weightlifters exhibit resistance training-induced left ventricular concentric hypertrophy.
• To determine if LV structure and volumes differ between elite weightlifters and recreationally active controls.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess LV structure and volumes in 9 elite Olympic weightlifters and 10 controls.
• Body composition was determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
• LV wall thickness was calculated from midventricular segment measurements.

Main Results:

• Weightlifters had similar age, weight, and fat-free mass (FFM) but were shorter and had a higher BMI than controls.
• No significant difference in LV mass was observed between groups; however, LV mass indexed to FFM was lower in weightlifters.
• LV mass correlated with FFM, but weightlifters had lower LV mass for a given FFM. LV wall thickness and volumes were not different.

Conclusions:

• The findings refute the hypothesis that resistance training induces LV concentric hypertrophy.
• Olympic weightlifting is associated with increased FFM without a corresponding increase in LV mass.