Cardiac Biomarkers Release in Preadolescent Athletes After an High Intensity Exercise

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Cardiac troponin elevation is observed in athletes post-endurance exercise.
• The clinical significance of this elevation remains unclear.
• Lack of awareness may lead to misdiagnosis in healthy athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if intensive cycling training elevates cardiac biomarkers in preadolescent athletes.
• To assess the prevalence and characteristics of biomarker elevation after exhaustive exercise.

Main Methods:

• Serum levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, NT-proBNP, CK-MB, and CK were measured in 21 healthy male preadolescent athletes.
• Participants underwent intensive cycling training to muscular exhaustion.
• Heart rate and rhythm were monitored using Holter during exercise.

Main Results:

• Cardiac biomarkers elevated in 62% of participants post-exercise.
• Troponin levels increased in 6 children, with 3 also showing elevated NT-proBNP.
• NT-proBNP increased in 9 subjects; no correlation found between troponin elevation and heart rate, age, or exercise duration.

Conclusions:

• Short, high-intensity exercise can transiently elevate cardiac biomarkers in young athletes.
• Training intensity may influence troponin release, possibly due to oxygen delivery-consumption imbalance.
• Elevated natriuretic peptides may reflect distinct physiological adaptations to exercise.