Echocardiographic evidence of concentric left ventricular enlargement in female weight lifters

In this study we investigated resting left ventricular structure and functi on in elite female weightlifters. Fifteen National Squad members [mean age (SD) 25 (6) years] were compared to a recreationally active control group [ n = 46, 23 (3) years]. Subjects were matched for body mass, body surface ar ea and fat free mass, but the controls were slightly taller (P < 0.01). Ath letes and controls demonstrated similar resting heart rates and blood press ures. Septal wall (ST), posterior wall (PWT) and left ventricular internal dimension in diastole and systole (LVIDd and LVIDs, respectively) were meas ured from M-mode echocardiograms. Calculations were made for left ventricul ar mass (LVM), mass-volume ratio (m:V), wall-thickness-cavity dimension rat io (h:R) and systolic function. Left ventricular filling velocities were de termined via Doppler echocardiography. ST [9.0 (1.1) vs 7.7 (1.0) mm] and P WT [8.7 (1.4) vs 7.5(1.3) mm] were greater, whereas LVIDd [46.2 (2.8) vs 48 .4 (3.4) mm] was smaller in the weightlifters (P < 0.05). After allometrica lly adjusting for differences in height, the weightlifters had a greater ST , PWT and LVM (P < 0.05) and similar LVIDd. Both m:V and h:R were increased in the weightlifters (P < 0.05). All functional data were within normal li mits and no group differences were observed. The female weight-lifters demo nstrated a concentric left ventricular enlargement that was not detrimental to left ventricular performance at rest.