Abstract
Aims
This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular structure, function and mechanics, in highly-trained, pre-adolescent soccer players compared with age- and sex-matched controls.
Design
The study design was a prospective, cross-sectional comparison of left ventricular structure, function and mechanics.
Methods
Twenty-two male soccer players from two professional youth soccer academies (age: 12.0 ± 0.3 years) and 22 recreationally active controls (age: 11.7 ± 0.3 years) were recruited. Two-dimensional conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography were used to quantify left ventricular structure, function and peak/temporal values for left ventricular strain and twist, respectively.
Results
End-diastolic volume index was larger in soccer players (51 ± 8mm/(m2)1.5 vs. 45 ± 6 mm/(m2)1.5; p = 0.007) and concentricity was lower in soccer players (4.3 ± 0.7 g/(mL)0.667 vs. 4.9 ± 1.0g/(mL)0.667; p = 0.017), without differences in mean wall thickness between groups (6.0 ± 0.4mm vs. 6.1 ± 0.5 mm; p = 0.754). Peak circumferential strain at the base (–22.2% ± 2.5% vs. –20.5% ± 2.5%; p = 0.029) and papillary muscle levels (–20.1% ± 1.5% vs. –18.3% ± 2.5%; p = 0.007) were greater in soccer players. Peak left ventricular twist was larger in soccer players (16.92° ± 7.55° vs. 12.34° ± 4.99°; p = 0.035) and longitudinal early diastolic strain rate was greater in soccer players (2.22 ± 0.40 s–1 vs. 2.02 ± 0.46 s–1; p = 0.025).
Conclusions
Highly-trained soccer players demonstrated augmented cardiac mechanics with greater circumferential strains, twist and faster diastolic lengthening in the absence of differences in wall thickness between soccer players and controls.
This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular structure, function and mechanics, in highly-trained, pre-adolescent soccer players compared with age- and sex-matched controls.
Design
The study design was a prospective, cross-sectional comparison of left ventricular structure, function and mechanics.
Methods
Twenty-two male soccer players from two professional youth soccer academies (age: 12.0 ± 0.3 years) and 22 recreationally active controls (age: 11.7 ± 0.3 years) were recruited. Two-dimensional conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography were used to quantify left ventricular structure, function and peak/temporal values for left ventricular strain and twist, respectively.
Results
End-diastolic volume index was larger in soccer players (51 ± 8mm/(m2)1.5 vs. 45 ± 6 mm/(m2)1.5; p = 0.007) and concentricity was lower in soccer players (4.3 ± 0.7 g/(mL)0.667 vs. 4.9 ± 1.0g/(mL)0.667; p = 0.017), without differences in mean wall thickness between groups (6.0 ± 0.4mm vs. 6.1 ± 0.5 mm; p = 0.754). Peak circumferential strain at the base (–22.2% ± 2.5% vs. –20.5% ± 2.5%; p = 0.029) and papillary muscle levels (–20.1% ± 1.5% vs. –18.3% ± 2.5%; p = 0.007) were greater in soccer players. Peak left ventricular twist was larger in soccer players (16.92° ± 7.55° vs. 12.34° ± 4.99°; p = 0.035) and longitudinal early diastolic strain rate was greater in soccer players (2.22 ± 0.40 s–1 vs. 2.02 ± 0.46 s–1; p = 0.025).
Conclusions
Highly-trained soccer players demonstrated augmented cardiac mechanics with greater circumferential strains, twist and faster diastolic lengthening in the absence of differences in wall thickness between soccer players and controls.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1494-1501 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| Early online date | 28 Nov 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2020 |
Keywords
- Strain
- Echocardiography
- Speckle
- Youth
- Function
- Left ventricle
