In-season changes in ventricular morphology and systolic function in adolescent female athletes

To evaluate the influence of physical maturity on the changes in ventricular morphology and function with sport training in female youth athletes.

Thirty-two female athletes (age 13-18 years) underwent height and weight measurement and 2-D echocardiographic evaluation immediately prior to, and following, a 20-week soccer season. Pre- and post-season left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (LVSV), mass (LVM), and posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD), end-diastolic area (RVEDA), and fractional area change (RVFAC), and interventricular septal thickness (IVST) were compared. In-season change in each variable was compared across pre-season hours of vigorous physical activity (0-1, 2-3, >3 hours).

Significant increases were identified in LVEDV (51.3 ± 10.4 v 56.4 ± 9.6 ml/m², p = 0.001) and RVEDA (10.5 ± 1.9 v 11.3 ± 2.5 cm²/m², p = 0.040), but not LVEDD, LVM, LVPWT, LVSV, RVEDD, RVEDA, RVFAC, or IVST (p > 0.05 for all). In-season changes in echocardiographic variables did not differ across hours of pre-season vigorous physical activity (p > 0.05 for all).

Among female adolescent soccer players, in-season training elicits changes in resting ventricular volume, but not wall thickness or systolic function. These adaptations do not appear to be influenced by pre-season physical activity level.