In-season Changes in Ventricular Morphology and Function in Female Youth Athletes Is Not Related to Physical Maturity

The ventricular adaptations to exercise in children are poorly defined, and whether these adaptations are influenced by physical maturity is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in ventricular morphology and function with exercise training in youth athletes, and whether these adaptations were influenced by height velocity. 30 female youth athletes (age 13-18 years) underwent height measurement, Tanner stage determination, and resting 2-D echocardiography immediately prior to, and following, a 20-week outdoor soccer season for …