Echocardiographic dimensions in athletes in relation to their training programs

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Athletes often exhibit cardiac adaptations in response to training.
• Different training modalities, such as endurance and strength training, may induce distinct cardiac changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cardiac dimensions and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in long-distance runners (LDR), cycle racers (CR), and weight lifters (WL).
• To investigate the relationship between training type and cardiac adaptations in athletes.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac dimensions.
• Electrocardiography (ECG) was employed to evaluate LVH.
• Questionnaires gathered training information.
• Maximal aerobic performance was measured using a cycle ergometer.

Main Results:

• Left ventricular mass (LVmass) was significantly increased in LDR and CR compared to control subjects (CS).
• This increase in LDR and CR was attributed to interventricular septum thickening, left ventricular posterior wall thickening, and left ventricular internal diameter enlargement.
• LVH was confirmed by ECG in endurance athletes.
• While left ventricular walls were enlarged in WL, their LVmass was not significantly different from CS.
• LDR and CR demonstrated higher maximal aerobic performance than WL.

Conclusions:

• The type of cardiac enlargement is closely related to the training program followed by athletes.
• Endurance training leads to significant increases in LVmass and aerobic capacity.
• Strength training alone does not result in a significant increase in LVmass, suggesting different adaptive mechanisms.