Atrial remodelling is less pronounced in female endurance-trained athletes compared with that in male athletes

Little data exists on atrial adaptation to training in women. Furthermore, data on right atrial (RA) volumes is lacking for both male and female athletes. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate atrial volumes in male and female athletes.

A total of 75 athletes (33 women) and 53 controls (21 women) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Left atrial (LA) and RA volumes were measured by manual delineation. The atrial appendage was included in the volumes, and pulmonary veins were excluded.

Atrial volumes were larger in athletes compared with those in controls (males: LA 116 ± 19 ml versus 93 ± 19 ml, RA 166 ± 32 ml versus 133 ± 23 ml, p < 0.0001, females: LA 90 ± 15 ml versus 83 ± 17 ml, p < 0.05, RA 119 ± 24 ml versus 108 ± 18 ml, p = 0.07). When normalized for body surface area, atrial volumes remained larger in athletes. However, when normalized for total heart volume (THV) there were no differences between groups except for LA volumes in females where controls had higher LA/THV compared with those in athletes (p < 0.05).

Atrial volumes were significantly larger in athletes. Atrial volumes normalized for THV did not differ between athletes and controls indicating a balanced enlargement. There was only a small difference between female controls and female athletes, suggesting that atrial adjustment to training is more modest in women.