Association between cardiac dimensions and athlete lineup position: analysis using echocardiography in NCAA football team players.

AbstractIn determining what is “abnormal”-in terms of cardiac electrical and morphologic remodeling in athletes-it is important to identify what is “normal” or expected. With specialization for each position in a football team lineup, we attempted to describe the association between the position played and the physiologic cardiac changes of designated players. We evaluated data from 85 National College Athletic Association football players from a single team. The participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on position and training regimen: lineman (n = 34), mobility/power players (n = 13), and skill players (n = 38). Players underwent assessment with electrocardiography and echocardiography (ECHO), with results interpreted by reviewers blinded to players' positions. Linemen were found to have greater body mass index and body surface area (BSA), as well as longer QRS duration (102 ± 10 ms vs 101 ± 7 ms in mobility/power players, and 96 ± 7 ms in skill players; P < 0.007). Left ventricular (LV) voltag...