Endurance training was associated with larger bi-atrial volumes and lower strain-rate in both sexes versus controls, though female athletes had smaller RA size and greater deformation than males.
Cross-Sectional (n=82)
Does endurance training induce different patterns of atrial remodelling and performance in female athletes compared to male athletes?
Endurance training induces specific atrial remodelling in both sexes, but female athletes exhibit greater bi-atrial myocardial deformation and smaller right atrial size compared to male athletes.
Abstract Background: High‐intensity training has been associated with atrial remodelling and arrhythmias in men. Our purpose was to analyse atrial performance in female endurance athletes, compared to male athletes and controls. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study. We included four groups: female athletes, females controls, male athletes and male controls. Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes and function were assessed using 2D and speckle‐tracking echocardiography to determine peak atrial strain‐rate at atrial (SRa) and ventricular contraction (SRs), as surrogates of atrial contractile and reservoir function, respectively. ANOVA and Bonferroni's statistical tests were used to compare variables among groups. Results: We included 82 subjects, 39 women (19 endurance athletes, 20 controls) and 43 men (22 endurance athletes, 21 controls). Mean age was similar between groups (36.6 ± 5.6 years). Athletes had larger bi‐atrial volumes, compared to controls (women, LA 27.1 vs. 15.8 ml/m 2 , p < 0.001; RA 22.31 vs. 14.2 ml/m 2 , p = 0.009; men, LA: 25.0 vs. 18.5 ml/m 2 , p = 0.003; RA 30.8 vs. 21.9 ml/m 2 , p < 0.001) and lower strain‐rate (women, LASRa −1.60 vs. −2.18 s −1 , p < 0.001; RASRa −1.89 vs. −2.38 s −1 , p = 0.009; men, LASRa −1.21 vs. −1.44 s −1 , p = 1; RASRa −1.44 vs. −1.60 s −1 , p = 1). However, RA indexed size was lower and bi‐atrial deformation greater in female athletes, compared to male athletes. Conclusions: The atria of both male and female athletes shows specific remodelling, compared to sedentary subjects, with larger size and less deformation at rest, particularly for the RA. Despite a similar extent of remodelling, the pattern in women had greater bi‐atrial myocardial deformation and smaller RA size.
Sanchís et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy subjects (endurance athletes and controls) (n=82). Endurance training vs. Sedentary controls was evaluated on Left and right atrial volumes and peak atrial strain-rate. Endurance training was associated with larger bi-atrial volumes and lower strain-rate in both sexes versus controls, though female athletes had smaller RA size and greater deformation than males.