THE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF VOLUME AND MUSCLE MASS OF THE HEART

One- and two-dimensional echocardiography permits assessment of left v entricular size and muscle mass, whereas the validity and reliability differ. It is comparable to other methods, such as angiography, scinti graphy and magnetic resonance imaging, but has the advantage of being noninvasive and of lower cost. It there fore appears particularly well -suited for applications in sports medicine. However, changes of 10 % - 20 %, depending on the parameter, are necessary in individual cases to permit assumption of a proven change. A further methodical improvem ent, especially in respect to reliability but also to validity may be expected in the future from three-dimensional, computer-supported exam ination techniques. Enlargement of the heart due to endurance sports i s harmonic and affects all four cardiac chambers. Limits to the increa se in left ventricular volume and muscle mass can be recognized in rel ation to body weight. They usually do not exceed 70% of the baseline v alue or the value obtained for untrained persons. Power training, even in extreme forms, results in no or only minimal dimensional changes.