Key Points
- The study aims to assess heart structural and functional adaptations related to left ventricular performance and right ventricular-arterial coupling in endurance athletes.
- 25 endurance athletes underwent clinical evaluation and comprehensive echocardiography.
- Participants divided into two groups based on cardiac contraction efficiency using global work efficiency and waste analysis.
- Statistical analysis performed using unpaired t-tests with a significance level of P < 0.05.
- Group 1 had lower efficiency and higher work waste compared to Group 2.
- Significant differences in age (Group 1: 40.92 years, Group 2: 34.17 years, p=0.042) and pulse wave velocity (6.38 m/s vs 5.68 m/s, p=0.011) between groups.
- Group 1 showed reduced right ventricular-arterial coupling and lower right ventricular strain metrics.
Structured PICO
PPopulation25 endurance athletes
OOutcomeHeart structural and functional adaptation according to left ventricular performance and right ventricular-arterial couplingsurrogate
In endurance athletes, older age is associated with lower left ventricular efficiency, increased arterial stiffness, and reduced right ventricular-arterial coupling despite preserved exercise capacity.