Effect of training on diastolic function of the heart in male volleyball players

Long-term athletic training is associated with cardiac changes including increased left ventricular cavity dimension and wall thickness; these changes have been described as ‘athlete’s heart’. The aim of this investigation was to study the ability of diastolic function measured by echocardiography to reflect changes in endurance as assessed by maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max ) in response to combined strengthening and endurance training in male volleyball players. This study was conducted on 30 apparently healthy male volleyball players at the beginning of the training cycle. After routine history taking and a general examination, echocardiography was performed for all players, during which the cardiac structure was assessed and systolic and diastolic functions were measured. VO 2 max was also calculated by ergospirometry. A combined training program was designed for 12 weeks after which echocardiography and measurement of VO 2 max were repeated. We found that a combined training program leads to significant increase in cardiac wall thickness, diastolic function of the heart [mainly propagation velocity (Vp)], and VO 2 max . Further, we found that there is a close relationship between changes in VO 2 max and changes in all indices of diastolic function studied (Vp, E wave/A wave ratio, and deceleration time). We concluded that diastolic function measured by echocardiography can reflect changes in endurance as previously assessed by VO 2 max only, in response to a combined strengthening and endurance training program. Moreover, Vp is a better indicator of diastolic function in athletes compared with E wave/A wave ratio and deceleration time. Also, echocardiographic parameters of cardiac hypertrophy increase in response to the combined training program.