Adaptation of left ventricular twist mechanics in exercise-trained children is only evident after the adolescent growth spurt

Dean R Perkins, Jack S Talbot, Rachel N Lord, Tony G Dawkins, Aaron L Baggish, Abbas Zaidi, Orhan Uzun, Kelly A Mackintosh, Melitta A McNarry, Stephen-Mark Cooper, Rhodri S Lloyd, Jon L Oliver, Rob E Shave, Mike Stembridge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background The extent of structural cardiac remodeling in response to endurance training is maturity dependent. In adults, this structural adaptation is often associated with the adaptation of left ventricular (LV) twist mechanics. For example, an increase in LV twist often follows an expansion in end-diastolic volume, whereas a reduction in twist may follow a thickening of the LV walls. While structural cardiac remodeling has been shown to be more prominent post–peak height velocity (PHV), it remains to be determined how this maturation-dependent structural remodeling influences LV twist. Therefore, we aimed to (1) compare LV twist mechanics between trained and untrained children pre- and post-PHV and (2) investigate how LV structural variables relate to LV twist mechanics pre- and post-PHV. Methods Left ventricular function and morphology were assessed (echocardiography) in endurance-trained and untrained boys (n = 38 and n = 28, respectively) and girls (n = 39 and n = 34, respectively). Participants were categorized as either pre- or post-PHV using maturity offset to estimate somatic maturation. Results Pre-PHV, there were no differences in LV twist or torsion between trained and untrained boys (twist: P = .630; torsion: P = .382) or girls (twist: P = .502; torsion: P = .316), and LV twist mechanics were not related with any LV structural variables (P > .05). Post-PHV, LV twist was lower in trained versus untrained boys (P = .004), with torsion lower in trained groups, irrespective of sex (boys: P < .001; girls: P = .017). Moreover, LV torsion was inversely related to LV mass (boys: r = −0.55, P = .001; girls: r = −0.46, P = .003) and end-diastolic volume (boys: r = −0.64, P < .001; girls: r = −0.36, P = .025) in both sexes. Conclusions A difference in LV twist mechanics between endurance-trained and untrained cohorts is only apparent post-PHV, where structural and functional remodeling were related.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)538-549
JournalJournal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Volume37
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Dec 2023

Keywords

  • echocardiography
  • twist
  • youth
  • myocardium
  • exercise

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