Amateur middle-aged ultra-endurance trailers exhibited significantly larger left atrial dimensions (P=0.001) and altered left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.027) compared to healthy controls.
Cross-Sectional (n=17)
Single-blind
Does ultra-endurance training alter echocardiographic parameters in middle-aged amateur athletes compared to healthy controls?
Amateur middle-aged ultra-endurance athletes show physiological echocardiographic adaptations including larger left atrial dimensions and higher left ventricular contractility parameters compared to healthy controls.
p-value: p=0.001
Abstract Introduction Exercise-induced cardiac fatigue has been described, especially following prolonged exercise. Such exercise when repeated may alter cardiac cavities dimensions and function, promoting arrhythmia; data addressing this impact in ultra-endurance athletes on ventricles and atrial parameters are scarce. Objective To describe echocardiographic features among amateur middle-aged ultra-endurance trailers (UET). Method An echocardiographic study was performed in 12 male athletes and in 5 healthy male controls the day before the start of the 37th edition of the Marathon des Sables. Loops were recorded by two experienced cardiologists and the measures were performed by another cardiologist blinded to the status of the subject and to the timing of loop recording. Results The median age was similar, 42 (IQR 36-44) in runners and 44 (IQR 38-53) in controls (p = 0.28), as well as their body mass index, 23.4 (22.9-25.2) in runners and 23.2 (22-25) kg/m² in controls, (p = 0.96). The median number of prior ultratrailswas 3 (1-8). Main results are described in Table 1. Compared to controls, left atrium (LA) was larger in UET (p = 0.001) but no significant differences in indexed cavity dimensions were observed in both ventricle and right atrium (RA). Left ventricle (LV) contractility parameters, including myocardial work were normal in both groups. Compared to controls, UET has significantly LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (p= 0.027 and 0.037, respectively); LV global work index and global constructive work was higher in UET (p = 0.004 and 0.002, respectively). LA dimensions and function were in the normal range in both groups; LA dimensions were higher in UET (p = 0.01) but function did not differ between both groups. Right atrial dimensions and right ventricle contractility were normal and did not differ between groups. Conclusion In this small cohort of amateur middle-aged ultra-trailers, we observed some differences when compared to controls; however, feature remained in the upper normal range values. However, such results should be confirmed in larger cohorts.For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.
Didier et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Ultra-endurance athletes (n=17). Ultra-endurance running vs. Healthy male controls was evaluated on Echocardiographic features including left atrial dimensions and left ventricular contractility parameters (p=0.001). Amateur middle-aged ultra-endurance trailers exhibited significantly larger left atrial dimensions (P=0.001) and altered left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.027) compared to healthy controls.