Can the potential and actual performance of Ironman triathletes be measured and predicted by reviewing their hearts? How important is the right ventricular fraction? A recent study from Alain M. Bernheim et al had some key findings.
.svg.jpg) |
| In amateur Ironman triathletes, right ventricle end-diastole area and percent body fat were independently related to race performance. Right ventricle end-diastolic area was the strongest predictor of race time. The role of the right ventricle in endurance exercise may thus be more important than previously thought and needs to be further studied. Photo: Wikipedia Commons |
Methods
"Amateur IM athletes (ATHL) participating in the Zurich IM race in 2010 were included. Participants were examined the day before the race by a comprehensive echocardiographic examination. Moreover, anthropometric measurements were obtained the same day. During the 3 months before the race, each IM-ATHL maintained a detailed training diary. Recorded data were related to total Ironman race time."
Results
"Thirty-eight Ironman finishers (average age 38+/-9 years, 32 male [84%]) were evaluated. Average total race time was 684+/-89 minutes. For right ventricular fractional area change (average: 45+/-7%, Spearman-[rho]=-0.33; p=0.05) a weak correlation with race time was observed. Race performance exhibited stronger associations with percent body fat (15.2+/-5.6%, [rho]=0.56; p=0.001), speed in running training (11.7+/-1.2 km/h, [rho]=-0.52; p=0.002), and left ventricular myocardial mass index (98+/-24 g/m2, [rho]=-0.42; p=0.009). The strongest association was found between race time and right ventricular end-diastolic area (22+/-4 cm2, [rho]=-0.64; p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, right ventricular end-diastolic area (beta=-16.7, 95% confidence interval: -27.3-[-6.1]; p=0.003) and percent body fat (beta=6.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-12.6; p=0.02) were independently predictive of Ironman race time."
Conclusions
"In amateur IM-ATHL, RV end-diastole area and percent body fat were independently related to race performance. RV end-diastolic area was the strongest predictor of race time. The role of the RV in endurance exercise may thus be more important than previously thought and needs to be further studied."
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: POST ACCEPTANCE, 12 March 2013
http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/publishahead/The_Right_Ventricle_Best_Predicts_the_Race.98413.aspx
