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A comparative study of left ventricular structure and function in elite athletes.

N MacFarlane1, D B Northridge, A R Wright

  • 1Cardiac Research Department, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.

British Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Elite athletes exhibit distinct left ventricular (LV) adaptations. Endurance athletes show increased LV dimensions and enhanced diastolic function, while weightlifters also develop LV hypertrophy, but with preserved diastolic function compared to inactive individuals.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Exercise training significantly impacts cardiovascular structure and function.
  • Left ventricular (LV) adaptations vary based on exercise type, intensity, and duration.
  • Understanding these adaptations is crucial for assessing athlete health and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific left ventricular (LV) structural and functional adaptations in elite endurance athletes and weightlifters.
  • To compare these adaptations against a control group of inactive individuals.
  • To determine the influence of different training modalities on LV remodeling and diastolic function.

Main Methods:

  • M-mode and Doppler echocardiography were employed to assess cardiac parameters.

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  • Three age-matched groups were studied: elite endurance athletes, elite weightlifters, and inactive controls.
  • Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was measured to characterize athlete fitness levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Elite endurance athletes displayed significantly larger LV end-diastolic dimensions compared to weightlifters and controls.
    • Both endurance athletes and weightlifters showed significantly increased LV mass index compared to controls, indicating hypertrophy.
    • Diastolic function, assessed by the E:A ratio, was elevated in endurance athletes at rest and during exercise, suggesting augmentation, while systolic function remained comparable across all groups.

    Conclusions:

    • Intense exercise training, encompassing both endurance and weightlifting, induces left ventricular hypertrophy.
    • Diastolic function is not impaired in elite athletes and appears to be enhanced in endurance athletes.
    • These findings highlight the differential cardiac adaptations to specific training regimens in elite athletes.