Comparison between the effect of aerobic and anaerobic sports on the heart of the Egyptian females [an echocardiographic study]

ABSTRACT

Athletes performing different of physical exercises and under strenuous training programs develop compensatory and adaptive changes in their hearts. 4 different kinds of sports namely 100 meter sprinting, 100 meter swimming, 1500 meter runing and handball playing the former 2 are examples of nonaerobic and the latter 2 are examples of nonaerobic and the latter 2 are examples of aerobic kinds of sports. The effect of these aerobic and nonaerobic sports on the heart of 64 female players from the National Egyptian teams were studied. Echocardiographic measurement of cardiac chambers and aortic root dimensions, ejection fractional shortening and left ventricular mass and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were studied and results were compared between the effect of aerobic and nonaerobic exercise. There was significant statistical difference between the effect of types of sports on certain aspects on the heart. Regular follow-up and assessment of cardiac dimensions and function is recommended for athletes performing prolonged physical exercise