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June 19, 2026Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Long-term athletic training linked to ~45% greater LV mass versus matched controls.

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Why the study?

Does long-term athletic training alter cardiac structure in competitive athletes compared to matched controls?

Population

More than 1,000 competitive athletes

Comparison

Long-term athletic training (dynamic or static) vs Matched control subjects

Design

Review

Key result

Long-term athletic training increases left ventricular end-diastolic dimension by ~10%, wall thickness by ~15-20%, and calculated left ventricular mass by ~45% compared with matched controls.

Authors

BMBarry J. Maron

Discussion

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Overview

Distinguish modest LV remodeling from pathology on echo in athletes; extends physiologic characterization but leaves long-term outcome data open.

Key Points

  • The aim is to clarify morphologic changes in the hearts of trained athletes through echocardiography.
  • Conducted M-mode echocardiographic studies on over 1,000 competitive athletes.
  • Compared cardiac dimensions and mass with matched control subjects.
  • Examined differences in cardiac structure based on athletic training types (dynamic vs. static).
  • Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension increased by about 10% in athletes.
  • Wall thickness increased by 15-20%, while left ventricular mass increased by approximately 45%.
  • Dynamic alterations in left ventricular hypertrophy may reverse within weeks to months after stopping training.

Structured PICO

Does long-term athletic training alter cardiac structure in competitive athletes compared to matched controls?

P
Population
More than 1,000 competitive athletes evaluated via M-mode echocardiography to assess structural cardiac changes associated with training.
E
Exposure
Long-term athletic training (dynamic or static)
C
Comparator
Matched control subjects
O
Outcome
Alterations in cardiac structure (left ventricular mass, end-diastolic dimension, wall thickness)surrogate

Long-term athletic training induces dynamic, reversible, and modest physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy that is not currently linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Limitations

  • The long-term significance of increased left ventricular mass in trained athletes has not been conclusively defined.

Cite This Study

Barry J. Maron (1986) conducted a review in Athlete heart (n=1,000). Long-term athletic training vs. Matched control subjects was evaluated on Cardiac dimensions (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, wall thickness, and calculated left ventricular mass). Long-term athletic training increases left ventricular end-diastolic dimension by ~10%, wall thickness by ~15-20%, and calculated left ventricular mass by ~45% compared with matched controls.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a35b2467f329793c62de3cbhttps://doi.org/10.1016/s0735-1097(86)80282-0
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Athlete’s heart: How echocardiography can unveil the heart's hidden secrets in athletes?2025
  2. 2Cardiac structure and systolic function in resistance-trained athletes versus untrained male adults2025
  3. 3Sex differences in cardiac adaptation and training patterns in elite cyclists2026
  4. 4Adaptive Changes in Endurance Athletes: A Review of Molecular, Echocardiographic and Electrocardiographic Findings2025
  5. 5Left ventricular efficiency in endurance athletes2026