A long-duration race induces a decrease of left ventricular strains, twisting mechanics and myocardial work in...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sports Medicine
• Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

• Adolescent athletes engage in prolonged, high-intensity endurance events.
• The acute cardiac effects of such extreme exercise in this demographic are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immediate cardiac consequences of a long-duration adventure race in trained adolescent athletes.
• To assess changes in left ventricular (LV) strains, myocardial work, and cardiac biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Twenty male adolescent athletes completed a >5-hour adventure race.
• Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were measured pre-race, immediately post-race, and 24 hours post-race.
• Resting echocardiography with speckle tracking assessed LV strains, twisting mechanics, and myocardial work before and after the race.

Main Results:

• cTnI levels significantly increased post-race in 16/20 participants, returning to baseline within 24 hours.
• LV twist and global myocardial work significantly decreased post-race (p < .05).
• Diastolic function and LV untwisting rate were significantly impaired post-race (p < .001).

Conclusions:

• High-intensity, long-duration exercise in trained adolescents can induce cardiac fatigue.
• This fatigue is characterized by elevated cTnI and altered myocardial function, particularly affecting LV twist and diastolic function.
• Cardiac function returned to baseline within 24 hours, suggesting transient effects.