Geert Kleinnibbelink

Cardiac Remodelling in Olympic Athletes 4 95 RESULTS Baseline characteristics All 27 rowers participated in the 2012 Olympic games. Mean age of the study population was 26.4±3.7 years, consisting of 19 males (70%, 26.3±4.3y) and eight females (30%, 26.6 ±1.9y). All rowers were Caucasian. Male rowers were significantly taller (193.7±6.6 versus 181.5±8.8 cm, p=0.001), heavier (88.0±12.0 versus 72.9±8.6 kg, p=0.003) and had greater BSA (2.2±0.2 versus 1.9±0.2 m 2 , p=0.002), but had a similar BMI (23.3±2.1 versus 22.2±1.0, p=0.08) compared to female rowers. Weight, body surface area (BSA) and body mass index (BMI) did not significantly change over time (83.9±13.0 to 84.3±13.0 kg, p=0.10; 2.1±0.2 to 2.1±0.2 m 2 , p=0.10; 23.0±1.9 to 23.1±1.9 kg/m 2 , p=0.11, respectively). Resting heart rate was higher at follow-up compared to baseline 54±7 to 58±8 bpm (p=0.02). Exercise training and cardiac remodelling: comparison between sides Left ventricle and atrium. There was a significant increase in LV wall thickness, diameter, volume and mass (all p < 0.01), which remained significant after correction for BSA (all p < 0.05) ( Table 1, Figure 1 ). Similarly, there was a significant increase in LA diameter and volume (both p < 0.01), which remained significant after correction for BSA (both p < 0.01). Exercise training increased LV twist, whilst no other changes in functional or mechanical indices were found ( Table 1, Figure 1, Figure 2 ). Right ventricle and atrium. We found no significant changes in right ventricular and atrial structure, function and mechanics ( Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2 ). Exercise training and cardiac remodelling: comparison between sexes Baseline characteristics. At baseline, female rowers had smaller LV and RV cardiac dimensions compared to male rowers (all p < 0.05, Table 1-2 ), which was not present after correcting for BSA (all p > 0.05). Absolute RVOT dimensions did not differ between sexes ( Table 2 ). Female rowers had a smaller LV mass compared to male rowers (p < 0.01), which remained significant after correction for BSA (p < 0.05, Table 1 ). Except for a lower TAPSE and a higher E velocity in female rowers (both p=0.02), no significant differences were found in conventional measurements of left- or right-sided cardiac function ( Table 1-2 ). Female rowers demonstrated significantly higher LV apical circumferential strain, lower