Comparison of the Exercise Training on the Echocardiographic Finding between Elite Female and Male Professional Athletes

Background and Objectives: Morphological and physiological differences recognized in the cardiovascular system of women compared to men, adaptive responses to exercise are likely to be different. Research about pathological processes in these areas can help in distinguishing the relation of gender and physiological processes of left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation due to exercise. Subjects and Methods: 49 professional male athletes and 40 professional female athletes in running, cycling, basketball and futsal were compared with each other and then each group was compared to 30 non-athletes as a control group and echocardiographic and parameters were studied. Results: Mean ages of male and female were 22 and 23 year old. Minimum duration of exercise was 5 year for 4 hours 5 days in week. Mean left atrial dimension did not statistically differ between male and female athletes (1.9±0.2cm/m2 vs. 2±0.2cm/m2) and with control groups .The mean left ventricular dimension was 4.8±0.5 cm and 3±0.3 cm/m2 in female athletes and 5.6±0.5 cm and 3±0.3 cm/m2 in male athletes. Conclusion: Left atrial dimension did not statistically differ between both athletes group and non-athletes. Increased left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular mass after intensive exercise was more evident in men than women, but the rate of increase in left ventricular internal diameter is same in both gender.