Abstract
Background
Regular physical exercise causes a continuous gradual increase of the cardiac left ventricular (LV) mass known as physiological adaptive hypertrophy. The extent of LV remodeling depends on the type, amount, and intensity of the exercise.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to compare structural changes of the heart among Lithuanian football, basketball players and unathletic controls.
Methods
A total of 50 Lithuanian males aged between 20-29 years volunteered to participate in the study. Football players (n = 15) playing for local II league football clubs,and Basketball players (n = 15) playing for local minor league basketball teams. All athletes had been regularly engaged in their sport for at least three years. Inactive healthy volunteers (n = 20) of similar age served as controls. Routine transthoracic echocardiographic examinations to measure end-diastolic LV dimensions were performed by cardiology fellow under the supervision of a fully licensed cardiologist. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 20.0 software. The value of p < 0,05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results
No structural or functional pathologies were evident during the echocardiographic examination in any of the subjects. Absolute interventricular septum (IVS) thickness and LV posterior wall thickness, but not LV diameter, were higher in athletes than in inactive controls (P < 0,001). Indexed LV diameter was higher in football players as compared with non-athlete controls and basketball players (P < 0,05). Left ventricular mass of all athletes were higher as compared with controls (p < 0.001). Relative wall thickness was not increased in football players but was higher in basketball players as compared with controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Cardiac remodeling in Lithuanian football players resulted in left ventricle eccentric hypertrophy due to the LV dilation, increased LV mass and relatively normal relative wall thickness. However in Lithuanian basketball players we noticed an increase in both relative wall thickness and LV mass resulting in LV concentric hypertrophy.
Echocardiographic characteristics Groups n End-diastolic LV diameter(mm) End-diastolic Interventricular septum (mm) End-diastolic LV posterior wall LV mass Football Players 15 56.9 10.8 10.8 242 Basketball players 15 53.6 11.5 11.3 254 Inactive individuals 20 53.2 9.1 9.5 182 P value 0.01 <0.001 <0.001 <0.01
Abstract P955 Figure.
Wall thickness, cavity dimensions, and myocardial contractility of the left ventricle in patients with simple transposition of the great arteries. A multicenter study of patients from 10 to 20 years of age.
