Echocardiographic Evaluation of Effects of Different Training Regimens on Left Ventricle Structure and Function in Female Athletes

Professional training regimens are accompanied with morphologic alteration and cardiac function which is known as “athlete’s heart” which is defined by left ventricular hypertrophy and other echocardiographic features. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of different training protocols such as endurance-training, strength training protocols and concurrent protocols on heart structures. Forty five young female volunteer athletes were included and received different training regimens (endurance-training, strength training and concurrent groups) for a 10 week period as study intervention. Standard color Doppler echocardiography was performed for assessment of the left ventricular activity. As a result, 45 athletes ended the study training regimens. Mean of cardiac parameters was not significantly different among athletes under study before the beginning of the study training regiments. Mean of end diastolic diameter among athletes of strength-trained group had been significantly increased after receiving the study training regiments. Mean of posterior wall thickness had been significantly increased in athletes of strength and concurrent groups. Mean of posterior wall thickness had been decreased in athletes of endurance-training group. Mean of heart rate was significantly decreased among the athletes of endurance-training and concurrent-training groups. The combination of both endurance-training and strength training protocols caused largest increases in left ventricular internal dimension and left ventricular wall thickness among the trial participants.