The influence of many years’ sport training on myocardial structure and function in veteran sportsmen in comparison to the effects of long-lasting arterial hypertension - echocardiographic evaluation

Abstract

Background The changes in myocardium connected with sport training refer particularly to its structure and they are the consequence of physical training. The aim of our study was to compare echocardiographic findings in veteran sportsmen (n = 90), persons with longlasting arterial hypertension, that never practiced sport activity (n = 60) and control group (n = 35).
Material and methods All study participants underwent physical examination, arterial hypertension measurement and echocardiography with cardiac cavities, wall thickness, LVM, EF and diastolic function estimation.
Results LVDd was significantly different in all groups; the highest values belonged to the hypertension group. There were no significant changes between sportsmen and control group in IVS thickness and PW thickness. The highest values of IVS and PW thickness corresponded to the hypertension group. Remaining parameters (LA, Ao, LVM and LVMI) reached the highest values in hypertension group and the difference was statistically significant between all study groups.
Conclusions The highest heart cavities parameters were observed in hypertension group. The only one exception was RVDd in sportsmen group. In spite of many years physical training the changes in myocardium in sportsmen are less advanced in comparison with hypertensive patients.