Key result
Elite rugby union players had higher left ventricular mass index than controls (99.9 in backs, 119.7 in forwards vs 82.2 g/m2; P<0.001), with forwards showing lower global longitudinal strain.
Why the study?
The study aimed to assess left ventricular morphological and regional functional adaptations in backs and forwards elite rugby union players.
Does elite rugby union playing position affect left ventricular morphological and functional adaptations?
Cross-Sectional (n=59)
Does elite rugby union playing position affect left ventricular morphological and functional adaptations?
p-value: p=<0.001
Elite rugby union players, particularly forwards, exhibit significant left ventricular hypertrophy and regional functional alterations, including depressed global longitudinal strain and altered torsional mechanics.
Position-specific LV remodeling in rugby may warrant monitoring in forwards; leaves open long-term clinical implications pending longitudinal data.
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess left ventricular (LV) morphological and regional functional adaptations in backs and forwards elite rugby union (RU) players. Methods: Thirty‐nine elite male RU players and twenty sedentary controls have been examined using resting echocardiography. RU players were divided into two groups, forwards ( n = 22) and backs ( n = 17). Evaluations included tissue Doppler and 2D speckle‐tracking analysis to assess LV strains and twisting mechanics. Results: The elite RU players exhibited an LV remodelling characterized by an increase in LV mass indexed to body surface area (82.2 ± 13.2 vs . 99.9 ± 16.1 and 119.7 ± 13.4 g.m −2 , in controls, backs and forwards; P < .001). Compared to backs, forwards exhibited lower global longitudinal strain (19.9 ± 2.5 vs. 18.0 ± 1.6%; P < .05), lower early diastolic velocity (16.5 ± 1.8 vs. 15.0 ± 2.3 cm.s −1 ; P < .05) and lower diastolic longitudinal strain rate (1.80 ± 0.34 vs. 1.54 ± 0.26 s −1 ; P < .01), especially at the apex. LV twist and untwisting velocities were similar in RU players compared to controls, but with lower apical (−46.2 ± 22.1 vs. −28.2 ± 21.7 deg.s −1 ; P < .01) and higher basal rotational velocities (33.9 ± 20.9 vs. 48.4 ± 20.7 deg.s −1 ; P < .05). Conclusion: RU players exhibited an increase in LV mass which was more pronounced in forwards. In forwards, LV global longitudinal strain was depressed, LV filling pressures were decreased, and LV relaxation depressed at the apex. Highlights Elite RU players exhibited LV hypertrophy, especially in forwards players. LV regional function suggested a drop in LV relaxation and an increase in LV filling pressures in RU players, with higher alterations in forwards. LV remodelling was associated with regional alterations in torsional mechanics: higher rotations and rotational diastolic velocities at the basal level of LV but lower rotation and rotational diastolic velocities at the apex were observed in RU players.
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Fornasier‐Santos et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Elite rugby union players (n=59). Elite rugby union participation vs. Sedentary controls was evaluated on Left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (p=<0.001). Elite rugby union players had higher left ventricular mass index than controls (99.9 in backs, 119.7 in forwards vs 82.2 g/m2; P<0.001), with forwards showing lower global longitudinal strain.
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