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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 May;124(5):1621-1629.
doi: 10.1007/s00421-023-05399-7. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

15 weeks of soccer training increases left ventricular mass and improves indices of left ventricular diastolic function in previously sedentary, mildly hypertensive, middle-aged women

Tórur Sjúrðarson  1   2 , Kasper Kyhl  3   4   5 , Nikolai B Nordsborg  2 , Rudi Kollslíð  3 , Lars Juel Andersen  5 , Peter Krustrup  6   7   8 , Magni Mohr  9   10
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

15 weeks of soccer training increases left ventricular mass and improves indices of left ventricular diastolic function in previously sedentary, mildly hypertensive, middle-aged women

Tórur Sjúrðarson et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024 May.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the impact of soccer training on cardiac adaptations in mildly hypertensive middle-aged women.

Methods: Hypertensive premenopausal women (n = 41; age (mean ± SD): 44 ± 7 years; height: 166 ± 6 cm; weight: 78.6 ± 11.6 kg; body fat: 43.3 ± 5.2%) were randomized to soccer training (SOC, n = 21) or control (CON, n = 20). SOC performed three weekly training sessions for 15 weeks, whereas CON had no training or lifestyle changes during the same period. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography pre-intervention and post-intervention.

Results: Soccer training increased (P = 0.001) left ventricular mass index by 10% [95% CI 4; 15], while no changes occurred in CON (time × group interaction, P = 0.005). In addition, only SOC demonstrated a within-group increase (P = 0.01) of 8% [95% CI 2; 14] in left ventricular septum diameter. For markers of right ventricular remodelling, a within-group increase (P = 0.02) occurred for tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion of 8% [95% CI 1; 14] in SOC only. Left atrial diameter index increased (P < 0.001) by 6% [95% CI 3; 10] after SOC, while it was unaffected in CON (time × group interaction, P = 0.02). For makers of diastolic function, SOC demonstrated a within-group increase (P = 0.02) in the average early diastolic mitral annulus velocity of 10% [95% CI 2; 19]. In addition, a reduction (P < 0.001) in mitral valve A velocity of - 19% [95% CI - 29; - 10] was observed following soccer training, which manifested in increased (P < 0.001) mitral valve E/A ratio of 34% [95% CI 16; 53] in SOC. No within-group changes were apparent in CON.

Conclusion: In sedentary, mildly hypertensive, middle-aged women, 15 weeks of soccer training increases left ventricular mass and left atrial diameter and improves indices of left ventricular diastolic function.

Keywords: Cardiac function; Cardiac structure; Echocardiography; Exercise training; Team sport.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Representative Doppler echocardiographic images from before and after the intervention. Top: pulsed Doppler mitral inflow before (left) and after (right) the intervention indicating early (E wave) and late (A wave) diastolic transmitral flow. Bottom: pulsed-wave tissue Doppler measurement in the lateral mitral annulus before (left) and after (right) the intervention used to evaluate E′
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean values for left ventricular diastolic mass index in histograms with individual participants as dotted lines in the soccer group and the control group measured pre-intervention (white bars) and post-intervention (grey bars). *denotes a “time × group” interaction at P < 0.05. The result of the post hoc analysis is indicated by ##P < 0.01 compared with pre-intervention
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean values for the mitral valve E/A ratio (A), the average early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (B), the ratio of average E to E′ (C) and the left atrial diameter index (D) in histograms with individual participants as dotted lines in the soccer group and the control group measured pre-intervention (white bars) and post-intervention (grey bars). *denotes a “time × group” interaction at P < 0.05. The result of the post hoc analysis is indicated by #P < 0.05, ###P < 0.001 compared with pre-intervention
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