ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE ATHLETES

This study examined electrocardiographic and echocardiographic charact eristics of endurance- and resistance-trained female athletes. The sub jects were 10 varsity caliber endurance-trained athletes, 10 resistanc e-trained athletes, and 10 nonathletes. Data collection included anthr opometric measurements, VO2max, standard 12-lead ECGs and left ventric ular dimensions measured by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiograph y. For endurance-trained athletes, absolute left ventricular end-diast olic volume and values normalized for lean body mass were significantl y greater than in nonathletes. An interstudy comparison of female vs m ale endurance-trained athletes from the same population also revealed significantly lower values for M-mode left ventricular mass expressed per kilogram of lean body mass in the former. Absolute and normalized wall thicknesses were not significantly greater in resistance-trained athletes compared to the other two groups. Wall thickness indexed for lean body mass was similar for the three groups. Sinus bradycardia was observed in all endurance athletes and in four resistance-trained ath letes. ECG criteria were unreliable for the prediction of left ventric ular enlargement. It appears that both female resistance- and enduranc e-trained athletes exhibit a lesser degree of enlargement of left vent ricular wall thickness and mass than male athletes. A close relationsh ip between skeletal and cardiac muscularity in resistance-trained athl etes of both genders also was supported.