This study investigated a group of young elite cyclists at the age of 19-20 years. The cardiac characteristics, left ventricular function and structure, after long-term and high intensity endurance training, were examined by echocardiography during resting conditions. In comparison with an age-matched control group, the elite cyclists had significantly lower systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and total body fat and a significantly higher physical fitness. Left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass indexed for differences in body size, and both systolic and diastolic dimensions of the left ventricle were increased significantly in the elite cyclist group. No significant difference was found in left ventricular function. Left ventricular diastolic function was examined (E/A-ratio, E = early passive, A = late active, atriale induced transmitral diastolic flow) and showed no significant difference between the two groups in spite of the structural changes observed in the left ventricular structure. We conclude that structural but not functional cardiac changes can be observed in elite cyclists when examined during resting conditions.
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