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Relationship between echocardiogram and physical parameters in experienced resistance trainers : A pilot study
Hackett, Daniel Mitchell, Lachlan Clark, Jillian Hagstrom, Amanda Keogh, Justin McLellan, Chris
Hackett, Daniel
Mitchell, Lachlan
Clark, Jillian
Hagstrom, Amanda
Keogh, Justin
McLellan, Chris
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A paucity of research exists concerning physiological factors influencing heart structure and function in strength athletes. This pilot study investigated whether body composition and muscle performance are associated with indices of cardiac structure and function in experienced resistance trainers.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study designed was employed to address the study aim. Seventeen males (median age 33.0 years) and eight females (median age 32.5 years) with backgrounds in bodybuilding and powerlifting participated in this study. Muscle performance, body composition and echocardiographic measures were performed. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to examine differences between males and females. Spearman’s Rho partial correlation analyses (adjusting for sex) were conducted to examine relationships between physical and echocardiogram parameters.
RESULTS: Moderate to strong positive correlations were found between fat-free mass and aortic root, right ventricular internal dimension, interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left atrium area, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and left ventricular end-systolic volume (r: 0.43-0.76, P≤0.03). Moderate to strong positive correlations were found between leg press 1RM and aortic root, left ventricular internal dimension diastole, left atrium area, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and left ventricular end-systolic volume (r: 0.49-0.67, P≤0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: Resistance trainers with greater fat-free mass and lower body strength appear to have larger cardiac structures. Changes in heart size and function are likely to result from long-term strenuous resistance training. Due to the suspected prevalence of performance enhancing drug use among powerlifters and bodybuilders, care is required to rule out pathological conditions.
Keywords
athletes, exercise-induced cardiomegaly, weight lifting, heart function tests, physiological adaptation
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
Book
Volume
61
Issue
9
Page Range
1290-1300
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Open
Open