Training adaptation of the left ventricle (LV) and it's reversibility following the cessation of training in adults is well known and also studied in children. In the present study we describe the changes in the LV morphology in... more
Training adaptation of the left ventricle (LV) and it's reversibility following the cessation of training in adults is well known and also studied in children. In the present study we describe the changes in the LV morphology in association with the training season during a 1.5 year follow up period. 15 elite adolescent swimmers, seven girls and 8 boys with 6 years of swimming history and 20 hours per week training were observed. Their data were compared with 15 age and gender matched non-athletes. LV adaptation was measured with 2D-echocardiography at the baseline pre-season and every 3 months, according to the macro cyclic periods of training. Non-athletes were observed at the first and fifth stage of the study. Remarkable LV morphological adaptation has been detected in the swimmers. The greatest LV muscle mass (LVMM: 228±46g) and smallest end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd:44.9±3.4mm) were observed at the end of the second general endurance preparation period (GEP2), but the LVMM...
