Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete
Abstract Background Pre-participation cardiac screening (PCS) of “Super-League” rugby football league (RFL) athletes is mandatory but may be completed at any time point. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac electrical, structural and functional variation across the competitive season. Methods...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Echo Research and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s44156-023-00026-9 |
| _version_ | 1827633844153483264 |
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| author | Lynsey Forsythe Keith George Michael Papadakis Nathan Mill Matt Daniels David Oxborough |
| author_facet | Lynsey Forsythe Keith George Michael Papadakis Nathan Mill Matt Daniels David Oxborough |
| author_sort | Lynsey Forsythe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pre-participation cardiac screening (PCS) of “Super-League” rugby football league (RFL) athletes is mandatory but may be completed at any time point. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac electrical, structural and functional variation across the competitive season. Methods Elite, male, RFL athletes from a single Super-League club underwent cardiac evaluation using electrocardiography (ECG), 2D echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) at four time points across the RFL season; (1) End pre-season (ENDPRE), (2) mid-season (MIDCOMP), (3) end-season (ENDCOMP) and (4) End off-season (ENDOFF). Training loads for each time point were also determined. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni were used for statistical analyses. Results Total workload undertaken by athletes was lower at both MIDCOMP and ENDCOMP compared to ENDPRE (P < 0.001). ECG patterns were normal with training-related changes that were largely consistent across assessments. Structural data did not vary across assessment points. Standard functional data was not different across assessment points but apical rotation and twist were higher at ENDPRE (9.83˚ and 16.55˚, respectively compared to all other time points (MIDCOMP, 6.13˚ and 12.62˚; ENDCOMP, 5.84˚ and 12.12˚; ENDOFF 6.60˚ and 12.35˚). Conclusions Despite some seasonal variation in training load, the athletes’ ECG and cardiac structure were stable across a competitive season. Seasonal variation in left ventricular (LV) apical rotation and twist, associated with higher training loads, should be noted in the context of PCS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:05:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a682dcab0f344847807e04b45051ce1f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-0464 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:05:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Echo Research and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-a682dcab0f344847807e04b45051ce1f2023-11-26T13:43:19ZengBMCEcho Research and Practice2055-04642023-10-0110111110.1186/s44156-023-00026-9Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athleteLynsey Forsythe0Keith George1Michael Papadakis2Nathan Mill3Matt Daniels4David Oxborough5University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation TrustResearch Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores UniversityCardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St Georges University of LondonSt Helens Rugby Football League ClubSt Helens Rugby Football League ClubResearch Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores UniversityAbstract Background Pre-participation cardiac screening (PCS) of “Super-League” rugby football league (RFL) athletes is mandatory but may be completed at any time point. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac electrical, structural and functional variation across the competitive season. Methods Elite, male, RFL athletes from a single Super-League club underwent cardiac evaluation using electrocardiography (ECG), 2D echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) at four time points across the RFL season; (1) End pre-season (ENDPRE), (2) mid-season (MIDCOMP), (3) end-season (ENDCOMP) and (4) End off-season (ENDOFF). Training loads for each time point were also determined. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni were used for statistical analyses. Results Total workload undertaken by athletes was lower at both MIDCOMP and ENDCOMP compared to ENDPRE (P < 0.001). ECG patterns were normal with training-related changes that were largely consistent across assessments. Structural data did not vary across assessment points. Standard functional data was not different across assessment points but apical rotation and twist were higher at ENDPRE (9.83˚ and 16.55˚, respectively compared to all other time points (MIDCOMP, 6.13˚ and 12.62˚; ENDCOMP, 5.84˚ and 12.12˚; ENDOFF 6.60˚ and 12.35˚). Conclusions Despite some seasonal variation in training load, the athletes’ ECG and cardiac structure were stable across a competitive season. Seasonal variation in left ventricular (LV) apical rotation and twist, associated with higher training loads, should be noted in the context of PCS.https://doi.org/10.1186/s44156-023-00026-9Athlete’s heartSeasonal variationCardiac screeningEchocardiographySpeckle tracking echocardiography |
| spellingShingle | Lynsey Forsythe Keith George Michael Papadakis Nathan Mill Matt Daniels David Oxborough Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete Echo Research and Practice Athlete’s heart Seasonal variation Cardiac screening Echocardiography Speckle tracking echocardiography |
| title | Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| title_full | Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| title_fullStr | Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| title_full_unstemmed | Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| title_short | Seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| title_sort | seasonal variation of cardiac structure and function in the elite rugby football league athlete |
| topic | Athlete’s heart Seasonal variation Cardiac screening Echocardiography Speckle tracking echocardiography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s44156-023-00026-9 |
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