The effect of ethnicity and body size on the athlete's heart and their impact on cardiovascular pre-participation screening

摘要: In response to the augmented haemodynamic load placed upon heart by intense and prolonged exercise, various forms of physiological remodelling are elicited. The resultant cardiac structural, functional electrical adaptations coined athlete’s heart. Due nature remodelling, in some cases these may however overlap with diagnostic criteria for varying pathological conditions, often related sudden death. Several variables associated including age, sex, sport, body size, ethnicity. Ethnicity is particular importance as athletes an African/Afro-Caribbean ethnicity demonstrate a greater prevalence abnormal changes suggestive pathology. There paucity literature among other ethnicities. For this reason Study 1 investigated impact Arabic structure, function electrophysiology male athletes. identified that while had larger hearts than controls, they significantly smaller their Black Caucasian athletic counterparts. While training unrelated/abnormal ECG findings, both similar levels suggesting European Society Cardiology guidelines interpretation applicable ethnicity.Study 2 another important facet heart, which size. there was progressive relationship between size dimensions, previously upper limits structural were even those surface area (BSA) over 2.3m2. Among cohort BSA >2.3m2, demonstrated wall thickness’ athletes.The second aspect thesis highlighted how findings pre-participation screening. debate still exists around most effective methodology screen several organisations mandate use echocardiography alongside resting 12-Lead ECG. 3 established should be limited follow up investigation, significant cost benefits could elicited (47% reduction). premise reduction no case isolation. found useful confirming pathology, significantly, our study investigation failed identify two hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Study 4 implications adopting modified light criticism screening avoided due high false positive rate. Utilising ethnically diverse cohort, using ‘Refined’ reduced rate from 22% when 2010 ESC 5%. Importantly achieved 100% sensitivity, highlighting cardiovascular