Extreme cardiac hypertrophy in bodybuilders: Mechanical assessment of diastolic alteration

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bodybuilding (a combination of training and anabolic steroids abuse) on left ventricular diastolic function and, more specifically, on underlying mechanisms that characterize this function (e.g. filling pressure, relaxation and twist-untwist mechanics). Methods Participants ( n  = 44; aged 20 to 45 years) were from healthy sedentary population (SED, n  = 15), strength-training athletes who had no history of anabolic steroid use (FOR, n  = 15) and bodybuilders who had history of anabolic steroid use (AAS, n  = 14). Each participant underwent 2D-strain echocardiography assessment to study morphological and functional parameters. Results Both the AAS and FOR groups had a concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle. However, it was more severe in the AAS group. Left ventricular diastolic function was also significantly altered in the AAS group ( P Conclusion Bodybuilding in conjunction with use of anabolic steroids induces concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle and adversely alters left ventricular diastolic function.