Keywords
athlete's heart
echocardiography
exercise-induced cardiomegaly
morphometric parameters
speckle tracking echocardiography
How to Cite
Abstract
In press
Background. The study of left ventricular remodeling features in athletes depending on the orientation of the training process is relevant for optimizing training loads and preventing cardiovascular system disorders.
Aim. To identify the features of left ventricular remodeling in trained individuals depending on the orientation of the training process based on the analysis of morphometric parameters.
Materials and Methods. The study included 149 athletes aged 18 to 34 years specializing in various athletics disciplines. Depending on the training orientation, they were divided into three groups: speed-oriented (n=62), speed-strength oriented (n=49), and endurance-oriented (n=38). Echocardiography was performed with measurement of cardiac dimensions and left ventricular mass by Devereux formula. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 29.0 (IBM, USA). One-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post-hoc test was used for intergroup comparisons. Two-way ANOVA was applied to assess the effects of training orientation and sex. The investigation was conducted as a private initiative of the authors, without grant funding.
Research Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024) with informed consent of all participants.
Results. Endurance athletes showed increased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (p<0.05) and left ventricular myocardial mass (p<0.01) with proportional wall thickening (eccentric hypertrophy). Speed athletes had only systolic posterior wall thickening (p<0.05). Speed-strength athletes showed increased aortic diameter and left atrium size; two-way ANOVA confirmed independent training orientation effect after controlling for sex (p<[0.05–0.01]). Left ventricular mass strongly correlated with anthropometric parameters (height r=0.72, weight r=0.74, body surface area r=0.76) and left ventricular dimensions (end-diastolic dimension r=0.74, end-systolic dimension r=0.81). All parameters remained within physiological norms (wall thickness <12 mm, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension <60 mm).
Conclusions. The orientation of the training process is a determining factor in the formation of a specific "athlete's heart" phenotype. The obtained data justify the need for mandatory indexing of left ventricular myocardial mass to body surface area for correct intergroup and intersex comparative assessment.
Keywords: physical therapy and rehabilitation, athlete's heart, echocardiography, exercise-induced cardiomegaly, morphometric parameters, speckle tracking echocardiography.
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