Correlation of epicardial adipose tissue and skinfold thickness in professional male soccer players

Abstract

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) represents a proportion of visceral fat distributed around the heart. Measurement of EAT thickness is important for the diagnosis of visceral obesity. Skinfold thickness has been used in both clinical and research settings for visceral obesity diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between skinfold and EAT thickness in healthy professional male soccer players. Material and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with twenty professional male soccer players (mean age, 22.50+2.80 years). Anthropometric data was collected for all patients and skinfold measurements were obtained with a caliper. EAT thickness was assessed in parasternal long axis view by transthoracic echocardiography. Results: Mean body mass index and waist circumference were 22.81±2.1 kg/m2 and 78.80±6.59 cm, mean EAT thickness and body fat ratio were 3.45±0.94 mm and 10.89±4.04%, respectively. EAT thickness was significantly correlated with body fat percentage (r=0.518, p=0.019). EAT thickness was also significantly correlated with age, body mass index, body surface area and waist circumference. EAT thickness did not showed any correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: This study has shown that there was a relationship between body fat ratio and EAT thickness in male soccer players who are considered to be healthy and physically fit.

Keywords

• epicardial adipose tissue
• skinfold thickness
• male soccer players