Cardiac hypertrophy in response to dynamic conditioning in female athletes

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Abstract
Ten female field hockey players were studied to determine if prolonged dynamic conditioning results in an increased left ventricular internal dimension at end diastole (LVIDD) and if this increase correlates with maximal O2 consumption (.ovrhdot.VO2 max). At peak season, echocardiograms were obtained and .ovrhdot.VO2 max determined during maximal treadmill exercise. .ovrhdot.VO2 max, LVIDD index (LVIDD/body surface area (BSA) and ventricular septal and posterior wall thickness were compared to age-matched nonathletic women. Mean LVIDD index was significantly greater in athletes than in controls: 29.3 .+-. 0.9 mm/m2 vs. 26.3 .+-. 0.6, P < 0.005. Echocardiographic wall measurements did not differ significantly in the 2 groups. Mean .ovrhdot.VO2 max for the athletes was significantly greater than controls: 51.7 .+-. 4.0 ml O2 .cntdot. kg-1 .cntdot. min-1 vs. 41.2 .+-. 2.1, P < 0.001. .ovrhdot.VO2 max correlated significantly with LVIDD index; r = 0.92, P < 0.001. Female atheletes show an increase LVIDD in response to dynamic conditioning similar to that in male athletes. The proficiency of athletic performance as measured by .ovrhdot.VO2 max may be related to the heart''s ability to increase LVIDD since there is a high correlation between .ovrhdot.VO2 max and LVIDD index.