Abstract
For the purpose of characterizing the left side of the heart by M-mode echocardiography
in former endurance athletes, 13 subjects with a mean age of 66 years, all having
competed in elite sports up to the age of 35, were studied. As controls, 21 men, with
a mean age of 69 years considered to be sedentary and having no history or signs of
heart disease, were examined. The two groups did not differ with regard to heart rate,
blood pressure, weight, and height.
The mean left atrial dimension (LAD) in the former athletes was significantly larger
than in the sedentary controls: 43±6 mm and 38±3 mm, respectively (P < 0.05). This was also true when LAD was corrected for body surface area (BSA): 22.1
± 3.3 mm/m2 and 20.0±1.8 mm/m2 (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were seen between the athletes and sedentary
controls in the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and wall thickness.
In conclusion, this study indicates that former endurance athletes have an enlarged
left atrium but a normal-sized left ventricle.
Key words
M-mode echocardiography - left atrial dimension - former endurance athletes
