Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Master Athletes

Carotid Intima Media Thickness (IMT) is currently used to assess the relationship between progression of coronary and systemic atherosclerosis. To date, however, the possible impact of regular physical activity (PA) on this parameter has not been well estimated.

Our study aims to examine this aspect especially in the absence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.

100 master athletes (MA) and 51 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled. They were evaluated by echo test with dedicated software (QIMT-Esaote) for IMT, and Bruce protocol and 2D echocardiography for cardiac hemodynamic parameters.

All values were within normal range. Left IMT mean values were significantly higher than right IMT values in both MA and SC groups (MA: IMT left 635 ± 104 µ, IMT right 614 ± 104 µ and mean IMT 624 ± 91.9 µ; SC: IMT left 633 ± 78 µ, IMT right 622 ± 90 µ and mean IMT 627 ± 78.1 µ). A positive relationship was found in both groups between IMT mean values and age (P < 0.01) and between IMT mean values and peak systolic blood pressure (MA: 0.28 R, P < 0.01; SC: 0.32 R, P < 0.05). At rest, only in MA was a significant relationship evident, between mean arterial pressure value and IMT (P < 0.01).

In the absence of CV risk factors, only age is associated with a slight increase of wall carotid thickening. The data are indicative of a physiological increase in IMT, as a consequence of increased peak effort systolic pressure after regular PA in athletes.