A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Left ventricular mass, geometry and filling in elite female and male endurance athletes
Authors: Stolt A, Karjalainen J, Heinonen OJ, Kujala UM
Publication year: 2000
Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Journal name in source: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
Journal acronym: Scand J Med Sci Sports
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
First page : 28
Last page: 32
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0905-7188
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0838.2000.010001028.x
Abstract
We compared echocardiographic findings in female (n=30) and male (n=30) endurance athletes to age-matched female (n=15) and male (n=15) sedentary controls. The differences between athletes and controls were similar in both sexes; only left ventricular (LV) mass and septum thickness differed slightly more in men than in women (67% vs 55%, P=0.004, and 36% vs 30%, P=0.03, respectively). LV wall thicknesses were in the normal range in all women, while four (13%) male athletes exceeded 13 mm. In conclusion, the effects of endurance training on echocardiographic findings appear to be quite similar in women and men. However, in female athletes with an abnormally thick left ventricular wall a thorough cardiac evaluation is indicated. This contrasts with male athletes, in whom LV wall thicknesses of over 13 mm are a not uncommon finding.
We compared echocardiographic findings in female (n=30) and male (n=30) endurance athletes to age-matched female (n=15) and male (n=15) sedentary controls. The differences between athletes and controls were similar in both sexes; only left ventricular (LV) mass and septum thickness differed slightly more in men than in women (67% vs 55%, P=0.004, and 36% vs 30%, P=0.03, respectively). LV wall thicknesses were in the normal range in all women, while four (13%) male athletes exceeded 13 mm. In conclusion, the effects of endurance training on echocardiographic findings appear to be quite similar in women and men. However, in female athletes with an abnormally thick left ventricular wall a thorough cardiac evaluation is indicated. This contrasts with male athletes, in whom LV wall thicknesses of over 13 mm are a not uncommon finding.
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