Cardiovascular anatomical-functional modifications of the heart in children who perform sports activity of moderate to vigorous intensity

Abstract

Regular moderate-to-high intensity physical activity can generate cardiovascular changes.Objective:To determine characteristics and anatomical and functional changes in the pediatric population according to whether or not they perform systematic sports physical activity.Materials and
methods:retrospective study of pediatric patients referred to the Ergometer service of the Institute of Cardiology in Corrientes,divided into GROUP1(G1):athletes and GROUP2(G2):non-athletes and separated into prepubertal (6-11 years) and pubertal (12-16 years).Results: There were 864 patients (pts) included,G1:187pts (21.6%) and G2 667pts (78.4 %).Prepubescent 35%.Mean age 12±2.7 years.Differences in G1 vs G2 were observed in height 1.56±0.16 meters vs. 1.53±0.17 meters (p=0.04);measured PR segment 145±10 vs 138±6 msec (p=0.001), QTc 395 ±7 vs 383 ±10 msec (p=0.02),HR 70±4 vs 79 ±5 bpm (p=0.009) and repolarization alteration 13 vs 7% (p=0.03);left atrium (LA) 30±3 vs 26±2 mm (p=0.01),end diastolic left ventricle 45±2 vs 40±3 mm (p=0.001)and at end systole 28±2 vs 25±2mm (p=0.001),septum thickness 9.3±0.5 vs 7.5±0.4 mm (p=0.04),posterior wall thickness (PP) 9.0±0.3 vs 7.1±0.5 mm (p=0.02);diastolic pressure at maximum effort 53.5±5 vs 68±6 mmHg (p=0.007),functional capacity 15.0±2 vs 13.2±5 METs (p=0.01).When subdividing them,the pubertal patients added obesity 4.8 vs 10% (p=0.01),ejection fraction (EF) 71± vs 61±7% (p=0.01) and greater maximal/submaximal effort 75 vs 64% (p=0.04).In prepubertal children,we observed differences in baseline HR 70±4 vs 82±5 bpm (p=0.009),with LA 29±3 vs 26±2 mm (p=0.05) and posterior wall 8.0±0.3 vs 7.1±0.5 mm(p=0.05).Conclusions:there are physiological cardiovascular changes in athletes who perform systematic sports physical activity,even at an early age.These differences begin in the prepubertal stage but intensify during puberty.