title: Aortic compliance variation in long male distance triathletes: A new insight into the athlete's artery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess cardiac and vascular adaptations in long-distance male triathletes and the influence of an increased training volume on these parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study using long-distance male triathletes (Tri) (n=12) and an age-matched cohort of sedentary volunteers (Ctrl).
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants gave an informed consent and underwent a Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance imaging (CMR) exam to measure left and right ventricle functional parameters, and aortic parameters (surface, strain, compliance, pulse wave velocity). This exam was repeated in the triathletes' group after an increased training volume of at least 2h/week for six weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control volunteers, triathletes presented at baseline a typical pattern of athlete's heart (higher end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volumes index, p≤0.009, and lower cardiac rate, p=0.015) but similar vascular characteristics except a trend towards an enlarged ascending aorta (surface 942±106 vs 812±127mm2, p=0.058). Between the two visits, the triathletes increased their weekly training time from 9.67±2.43 (Tri1) to 12.15±3.01h (Tri2): no modifications were found regarding cardiac parameters, but compliance and distensibility of the ascending aorta increased, from 2.60 to 3.34mm2/mmHg (p=0.028) and from 3.36 to 4.40×10-3mmHg-1(p=0.048) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using CMR, we showed that vascular characteristics of the ascending aorta may vary along the sport season in endurance athletes. This remodelling could be considered as a physiological adaptation, but could eventually lead to an adverse vascular remodelling.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, IADI U 947, France.
authors.forename: Anne-Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.affiliation: CHRU Nancy, Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology, France; Universite de Lorraine, EA 3450 DevAH-Development, Adaptation and Disadvantage, Cardiorespiratory Regulations and Motor Control, France.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poussel
authors.affiliation: INSERM, CIC-IT 1433, France.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hossu
authors.affiliation: CHRU Nancy, Department of Medical Imaging, France; INSERM UMR-1116, France; Universite de Lorraine, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.affiliation: CHRU Nancy, Department of Pulmonary Function Testing and Exercise Physiology, France; Universite de Lorraine, EA 3450 DevAH-Development, Adaptation and Disadvantage, Cardiorespiratory Regulations and Motor Control, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chenuel
authors.affiliation: INSERM, IADI U 947, France; INSERM, CIC-IT 1433, France; CHRU Nancy, Department of Medical Imaging, France.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Felblinger
authors.affiliation: INSERM, IADI U 947, France; CHRU Nancy, Department of Medical Imaging, France; Universite de Lorraine, France. Electronic address: d.mandry@chu-nancy.fr.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandry
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D066253:Vascular Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Athletes (M01.072); Compliance (G01.374.590.210); Magnetic resonance imaging (EO1.370.350.825.500); Triathlon; Vascular stiffness (G09.330.940)