title: Comparison of left and right ventricular adaptation in endurance-trained male athletes.
abstract: Characteristics of the athlete's heart have been investigated mostly in the left ventricle (LV); reports referring to the right ventricle (RV) have only appeared recently. The aim of the present study was to compare the training effects on RV and LV in elite male endurance athletes. To this end, echocardiography was conducted in 52 elite endurance athletes (A) and in 25 non-athletes (NA). Differences between A and NA in the morphology was more marked in the RV (body-size-matched (rel.)) long axis diastolic diameter (RVLADd): 63.4 ± 6.3 vs. 56.4 ± 6.3; rel. short axis diastolic diameter (RVSADd): 27.3 ± 3.6 vs. 23.6 ± 2.7 mm/m, RV diastolic area 28 ± 5.0 vs. 21.3 ± 4.3 cm2 in all cases, p < 0.001) than in the LV (rel. LVLADd: 63.8 mm/m ± 5.6 vs. 60.7 mm/m ± 6.6, p < 0.05, rel.LVSADd 37.8 ± 3.1 vs. 35.3 ± 2.4, no difference). In the athletes ratios of peak early to late diastolic filling velocity (2.07 ± 0.51 vs. 1.75 ± 0.36, p < 0.01), the TDI-determined E'/A' ratio in the septal (1.89 ± 0.55 vs. 1.62 ± 0.55, p < 0.05) and lateral (2.62 ± 0.72, vs. 2.18 ± 0.87, p < 0.001) walls were significantly higher than in NA only in the LV. Results indicate that in male endurance athletes morphologic adaptation is similar or slightly stronger in the RV than in the LV, functional adaptation seems to be stronger in the LV.
authors: College of Nyíregyháza Department of Physical Education and Sport Scienses Nyíregyháza Hungary.
authors: Zs
authors: Z
authors: Major
authors: University of Physical Education Department of Health Sciences and Sport Medicine Alkotás u. 44 H-1123 Budapest Hungary.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Csajági
authors: Qatar University Sport Science Program Doha Qatar.
authors: Zs
authors: Z
authors: Kneffel
authors: Semmelweis University Heart Centre Budapest Hungary.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kováts
authors: Cardiologic Diagnostic Centre Budapest Hungary.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Szauder
authors: National Institute for Sport Medicine Budapest Hungary.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Sidó
authors: University of Physical Education Department of Health Sciences and Sport Medicine Alkotás u. 44 H-1123 Budapest Hungary.
authors: Gábor
authors: G
authors: Pavlik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059267:Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced / Q000502:physiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cardiac enlargement; elite athletes; left and right ventricle; systolic and diastolic function; transthoracic echocardiography