title: Structure and function of distance runners' heart.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare ultra-long distance runners' heart morphologic and functional parameters at rest with those of long distance runners' and middle distance runners'.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard Doppler, M-mode and 2-D-mode echocardiography was performed at rest to 22 middle, 31 long and 11 ultra-long adult male distance runners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long and ultra-long distance runners' left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index were larger (p<0.05) than that of middle distance runners' (groups' means--approximately 288, 305 and 250 g as well as 153, 160 and 130 g/m(2), respectively) due to both larger (p<0.05) end-diastolic interventricular wall thickness (10.6, 11.1 and 9.8 mm, respectively) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (10.7, 11.5 and 10.0 mm, respectively). Ultra-long distance runners' left ventricular mass and mass index did not differ significantly from long distance runners' (p>0.05), but end-diastolic posterior wall thickness was higher (p<0.05). Relative left ventricular wall thickness was larger in ultra-long distance runners as compared with middle distance runners (0.402 and 0.362, respectively; p<0.05). Ultra-long distance runners' right ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly larger (p<0.05) than that of middle and long distance runners (groups' means--25.8, 20.7 and 21.4 mm, respectively). Right ventricular end-diastolic free wall was thicker in ultra-long distance runners as compared with middle distance runners (groups' means--6.7 and 5.9 mm, respectively; p<0.05). Diastolic left ventricular function (evaluated as E/A) as well as end-diastolic left ventricular diameter (groups' mean--55.5-56.4 mm) did not differ between groups (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hypertrophy of ultra-long (as well as long) distance runners' myocardium of both ventricles is more pronounced than that of middle distance runners'.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physiology and Health Education, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. t.venckunas@lkka.lt
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Venckūnas
authors.forename: Rasa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raugaliene
authors.forename: Edita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jankauskiene
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis; D017380:Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left