Key result
Chronic exposure to high-intensity training among professional runners was associated with increased left ventricular mass and adaptive remodeling in both genders, while male athletes additionally exhibited less subclinical atherosclerosis compared to controls.
Why the study?
Does long-term high-intensity training affect myocardial hypertrophy and subclinical atherosclerosis in professional runners?
Observational (n=109)
Single-blind
No
Does long-term high-intensity training affect myocardial hypertrophy and subclinical atherosclerosis in professional runners?
Absolute Event Rate: 132% vs 86%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Long-term high-intensity training in professional runners is associated with adaptive myocardial hypertrophy in both sexes, but lower subclinical atherosclerosis (cIMT) was observed only in male athletes.
Supports echocardiographic surveillance for hypertrophy in elite runners; leaves open causal effects on atherosclerosis and applicability to women.
To evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to high-intensity training among professional runners on cardiac hypertrophy and subclinical atherosclerosis. Prospective study included runners of both sexes (n = 52) and age and gender matched controls (n = 57), without classical cardiovascular risk factors. Ventricular hypertrophy was quantified by echocardiography by linear method and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) by 2-D images obtained by ultrasonography. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Steroid hormones were quantified by HPLC followed by LC-MS/MS. Higher left ventricular (LV) mass index was found in male athletes (p<0.0001 vs. other groups). When adjusted for gender, the degree of left ventricular mass index classified as mildly, moderately or severely abnormal was obtained in 26%, 35%, and 30%, respectively, of female athletes, and in 39%, 14%, and 21%, respectively, of male athletes. Higher ratio of the early (E) to late (A) ventricular filling velocities was found in athletes of both genders. Male athletes presented lower cIMT in the right (p = 0.012 vs. male controls) and left (p<0.0001 vs. male controls) common carotid arteries, without differences in cIMT between female athletes and controls. FMD results were similar among groups. Higher serum testosterone levels were found in male athletes (p<0.0001 vs. other groups) and they were correlated with LV mass (r = 0.50, p<0.0001). The chronic exposure of high-intensity training among professional runners of both genders was associated with increased ventricular mass and adaptive remodeling. Less subclinical atherosclerosis was found in male athletes. Differences in steroid hormones may account in part for these findings.
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Bittencourt et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Healthy (Professional Runners vs Controls) (n=109). Long-term high-intensity training (professional running) vs. Age and gender matched healthy controls was evaluated on Left ventricular mass index (g/m2) in male athletes vs male controls (p=<0.0001). Chronic exposure to high-intensity training among professional runners was associated with increased left ventricular mass and adaptive remodeling in both genders, while male athletes additionally exhibited less subclinical atherosclerosis compared to controls.
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