title: Dynamic changes in left ventricular mass and in fat-free mass in top-level athletes during the competitive season.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that fat-free mass (FFM) is an important determinant of left ventricular mass (LVM) in athletes. However, cross-sectional investigations have not the ability to detect the dynamic adaptation occurring with training. We hypothesized that LVM adapts concurrently with the increase of FFM induced by exercise conditioning. We sought to study the relationship between the variations of LVM and of FFM occurring in top-level soccer players during the season.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three male top-level athletes were recruited. LVM was assessed by echocardiography and FFM by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serial measurements were performed pre-season, after 1 month, at mid- and end-season, and after 2 months of detraining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LVM significantly increased at mid-season versus pre-season values, reaching the highest value at the end of the season (p < 0.05). While body weight did not vary during the study period, FFM significantly increased (p < 0.05 for mid-/end-season vs. pre-season data). After the detraining, no significant differences were observed between pre-season and detraining echocardiographic data. The only independent predictors of LVM were left ventricular stroke volume and FFM (R = 0.36, p = 0.005; R = 0.35, p = 0.005, respectively). When ΔLVM index was set as dependent variable, the only independent predictor was ΔFFM (R = 0.87, p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in LVM occur in close association with changes in FFM, suggesting that the left ventricle adapts concurrently with the increase of the metabolically active tissue induced by training, i.e. the FFM. Therefore, the dynamic changes in FFM and LVM may reflect a physiological adaptation induced by intensive training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy flavio.dascenzi@libero.it.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Ascenzi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pelliccia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cameli
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetta Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery, and NeuroScience, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.affiliation: Staff Siena Football Club, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Urbano
authors.affiliation: Staff Siena Football Club, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Causarano
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery, and NeuroScience, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonifazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondillo
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001823:Body Composition; D059267:Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012916:Soccer; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Athlete’s heart; DXA; detraining; echocardiography; left ventricular remodelling; training