title: Cardiovascular health profile of elite female football players compared to untrained controls before and after short-term football training.
abstract: This study examined the intermittent exercise performance and cardiovascular health profile in elite female football players in comparison to untrained young women, as well as a subgroup subjected to football training 2x1 h · week(-1) for 16 weeks. Twenty-seven Danish national team players (elite trained, ET) and 28 untrained women (UT) underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scanning (DXA), comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, treadmill and Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance level 2 (IE2) testing. Eight women in UT were also tested after the football training period. Maximal oxygen uptake rate (VO2max), peak ventilation and peak lactate were 40, 18 and 51% higher (P< 0.01) in ET than UT, respectively. Cardiac dimensions and function were greater in ET than UT, with left ventricular diastolic diameter, right ventricular diastolic diameter, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and peak transmitral flow in early diastole divided by peak transmitral flow velocity in late diastole during atrial contraction (E/A-ratio) being 13, 19, 27 and 41%, respectively, greater in ET than UT (P< 0.001 to< 0.05). Yo-Yo IE2 performance was 7-fold higher in ET than UT (1772 ± 508 vs. 234 ± 66 m, P< 0.001), fat mass was 51% lower (P< 0.001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were 20% higher (P< 0.01). Sixteen weeks of football elevated VO2max and Yo-Yo IE2 performance by 16 and 40%, respectively, and lowered fat mass by 6%. Cardiac function was markedly improved by 16 weeks of football training with 26 and 46% increases in TAPSE and E/A ratio, respectively, reaching levels comparable to ET. In summary, elite female football players have a superior cardiovascular health profile and intermittent exercise performance compared to untrained controls, but short-term football training can markedly improve the cardiovascular health status.
authors.affiliation: University of Copenhagen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health, Universitetsparken 13, Kbh Ø, 2100, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten Bredsgaard
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Randers
authors.forename: Lars Juel
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orntoft
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendiksen
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Peter Riis
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003718:Denmark; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005538:Football; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000502:physiology; D014691:Ventilation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D019344:Lactic Acid