Adaptation of left ventricular morphology to long-term training in sprint- and endurance-trained elite runners.
Long-term studies on left ventricular (LV) adaptation have not been reported. The echocardiograms of 41 top-class runners (8 males and 6 females sprint-trained, 15 males and 12 females endurance-trained) were recorded at the beginning and after 1, 2, and 3 years of training. A one-way ANOVA and a linear regression analysis were conducted to determine changes and association between performance and LV values. Training resulted in an increase in performance and LV internal diameter at end-diastole (LVIDd) and decreases in end-diastolic interventricular septal wall thickness, and posterior wall thickness (PWTd). There were no significant differences in LV mass and LV ejection fraction (LVEF, %). The changes in PWTd were linked to enlargement of the LV. In athletes with unusual LV dilatation (>60 mm), LVIDd was related to performance and LVEF was >50%. Maximal wall thickness was <13 mm in all athletes. LV adaptations were independent of sex and type of training and related to the initial level of performance. We believe that LV enlargement in elite runners is a physiological adaptation and that the LVIDd is a predictor of running performance.
Legaz-Arrese
Alejandro
A
Departmento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Domingo Miral S/N, Zaragoza 50009, Spain. alegaz@unizar.es
Arrese
Alejandro Legaz
AL
González-Carretero
Mariano
M
Carretero
Mariano González
MG
Lacambra-Blasco
Isaac
I
Blasco
Isaac Lacambra
IL
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D006332:Cardiomegaly; D004452:Echocardiography; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running; D016276:Ventricular Function