Echocardiographic characteristics of professional tennis players at the Roland Garros French open

Echocardiographic characteristics of professional tennis players at the Roland Garros French open Original Research Article Pages 527-531 Nicolas Mansencal, Dany-Michel Marcadet, Fabrice Martin, Bernard Montalvan, Olivier Dubourg Close Close preview | Purchase PDF (95 K) | Related articles | Related reference work articles AbstractAbstract | Figures/TablesFigures/Tables | ReferencesReferences Background Intensive sport may induce cardiac modifications. No recent study has been performed in elite tennis players. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the cardiac characteristics in a population of professional tennis players. Methods During the 2004 French Open Tennis Tournament, we offered complete echocardiographic screening to all professional tennis players. The study population consisted of 160 subjects: 80 tennis players (50 men and 30 women) and age- and sex-matched control groups (n = 80). Results Indexed left ventricular mass was significantly higher in tennis players (P < .0001). Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 18 male (36%) and 6 female (20%) tennis players versus 2 men (4%) and no woman in the control groups (P < .0001 and P = .02, respectively). All indexed right and left atrial measurements were significantly higher in tennis players (P < .003). The incidence of left and right atrial dilation was significantly higher in tennis players (P ≤ .0001). Indexed right atrial area and left atrial volume were significantly higher in baseline players as compared with offensive players and to control groups (P < .0001), whereas there was no significant difference in left ventricular mass according to the style of play (P > .75). No significant between-group difference was observed in Doppler data. Conclusions In the present study, professional tennis players presented significant cardiac differences, as compared to a control group, with moderate left ventricular hypertrophy, bilateral atrial dilation, and normal systolic and diastolic functions. Atrial dilation is related to the style of play (baseline or offensive) and should be considered as physiological in tennis players. Article Outline Methods Statistical analysis Results Discussion Conclusions References