title: Left and right ventricular longitudinal strain-volume/area relationships in elite athletes.
abstract: We propose a novel ultrasound approach with the primary aim of establishing the temporal relationship of structure and function in athletes of varying sporting demographics. 92 male athletes were studied [Group IA, (low static-low dynamic) (n = 20); Group IC, (low static-high dynamic) (n = 25); Group IIIA, (high static-low dynamic) (n = 21); Group IIIC, (high static-high dynamic) (n = 26)]. Conventional echocardiography of both the left ventricles (LV) and right ventricles (RV) was undertaken. An assessment of simultaneous longitudinal strain and LV volume/RV area was provided. Data was presented as derived strain for % end diastolic volume/area. Athletes in group IC and IIIC had larger LV end diastolic volumes compared to athletes in groups IA and IIIA (50 ± 6 and 54 ± 8 ml/(m(2))(1.5) versus 42 ± 7 and 43 ± 2 ml/(m(2))(1.5) respectively). Group IIIC also had significantly larger mean wall thickness (MWT) compared to all groups. Athletes from group IIIC required greater longitudinal strain for any given % volume which correlated to MWT (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001). Findings were similar in the RV with the exception that group IIIC athletes required lower strain for any given % area. There are physiological differences between athletes with the largest LV and RV in athletes from group IIIC. These athletes also have greater resting longitudinal contribution to volume change in the LV which, in part, is related to an increased wall thickness. A lower longitudinal contribution to area change in the RV is also apparent in these athletes.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK. d.l.oxborough@ljmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oxborough
authors.affiliation: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegan Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annemieke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heemels
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.|Countess of Chester Hospital, NHS Trust, Chester, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Somauroo
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.|Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McClean
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Punit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mistry
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Utomi
authors.affiliation: Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.|Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegan Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thijssen
authors.affiliation: St George's University Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Risk in the Young, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Science, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sculthorpe
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D059267:Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Athlete’s heart; Left ventricle; Right ventricle; Strain imaging