Why the study?
It was unclear whether very high levels of strenuous endurance exercise cause myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcification compared with sex- and age-matched controls.
Does long-term exposure to strenuous endurance exercise increase the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcifications compared to untrained controls?
Does long-term exposure to strenuous endurance exercise increase the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcifications compared to untrained controls?
Long-term strenuous endurance exercise in professional cyclists is associated with a slightly higher prevalence of minimal, nonischemic myocardial fibrosis but no increase in coronary calcification, suggesting an absence of major cardiac maladaptations.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Minimal fibrosis without calcification changes in former cyclists warrants no practice change; leaves open long-term cardiac risks.
Maceira et al. (2022) studied this question.
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