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Open Access 01-01-2021 | Sudden Cardiac Death | Short Communication

Z-score values of left ventricular dimensions in adolescent elite male soccer players

Authors: Stephan Gerling, Tobias Pollinger, Holger Michel, Markus-Johann Dechant, Michael Melter, Werner Krutsch

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Recent studies showed contrasting findings in morphological changes due to competitive soccer in adolescent players (SP). We present a prospective study in 315 consecutive adolescent (10–14 years) male elite SP and 53 healthy matched active controls (CON). All participants underwent a complete transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (TTE). The mean age in SP was 12.8 ± 0.65 years compared to 12.6 ± 0.8 years in CON. For all left ventricular (LV) dimensions, mean Z-score values were higher in SP. There was a significant Z-score increase in interventricular septum diastolic diameter (2.47z vs. 1.62z, p < 0.05), left ventricular posterior wall diastolic and systolic diameter (1.15z vs. 0.47z, p < 0.05 and 1.05z vs. − 0.4z, p < 0.05). Athletes had significant greater LV mass indexed for BSA (94 ± 12 g/m² vs. 81 ± 13 g/m², p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in LV function or diameters.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that elite soccer training in adolescent male is a type of sport predominantly related to cardiac resistance remodeling. Adolescent SP may develop supernormal left ventricular wall dimensions (+ 2.0 to + 2.5z). If in SP Z-scores, any LV dimension above + 2.5 is measured, primary or secondary cardiomyopathies should be excluded.

What is Known: • Morphological cardiac adaptation in response to exercise depends on the type, duration, and intensity of training. • Morphological and functional changes due to competitive sports (athlete’s heart) occur even in pre-adolescent athletes.
What is New: • Our findings point out that German elite soccer training in adolescent male (10–14 years of age) is a type of sport predominantly related to cardiac resistance remodeling. • If in an adolescent competitive soccer player any LV dimension Z-score value above + 2.5 is measured, a primary or secondary cardiomyopathy should be excluded.

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Title: Z-score values of left ventricular dimensions in adolescent elite male soccer players
Authors: Stephan Gerling
Tobias Pollinger
Holger Michel
Markus-Johann Dechant
Michael Melter
Werner Krutsch
Publication date: 01-01-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Sudden Cardiac Death
Echocardiography
Echocardiography
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-020-03741-1

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Z-score values of left ventricular dimensions in adolescent elite male soccer players

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