Cardiac remodeling in ambitious endurance-trained amateur athletes older than 50 years-an observational study.

Abstract

BackgroundData on cardiac remodeling in veteran athletes are conflicting but of clinical importance.MethodsSixty-nine clinically stable and healthy individuals >50 years were identified (median 55 (IQR 52-64), 26% female). Echocardiographic features were identified in individuals, who have performed endurance sports at 70% of their maximum heart rate for at least 1 hour 3 times/ week over the previous 5 years.ResultsMedian training time in all participants was 6 hours per week. Therefore, based on these 6 hours of weekly training, participants were grouped into 45 ambitious endurance-trained amateur athletes (EAA) and 24 recreationally active endurance-trained athletes (RAP) training ≥6 hours (6-10) and ConclusionsEndurance training in healthy athletes >50 years is not associated with chamber dilatation or LV hypertrophy. A weekly training duration of ≥6 hours seems beneficial to preserve diastolic function associated with an increased LA reservoir function.