Cardiovascular function is better in veteran football players than age‐matched untrained elderly healthy men. Issue 1 (4th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, J. F.; Andersen, T. R.; Andersen, L. J.; Randers, M. B.; Hornstrup, T.; Hansen, P. R.; Bangsbo, J.; Krustrup, P.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. Volume 25:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2013-12-04
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-7188

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The aim of the study was to determine whether lifelong football training may improve cardiovascular function, physical fitness, and body composition. Our subjects were 17 male veteran football players (VPG; 68.1 ± 2.1 years) and 26 healthy age‐matched untrained men who served as a control group (CG; 68.2 ± 3.2 years). Examinations included measurements of cardiac function, microvascular endothelial function [reactive hyperemic index (RHI)], maximum oxygen uptake (VO<sub>2</sub><sub>max</sub>), and body composition. In VPG, left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume was 20% larger (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01) and LV ejection fraction was higher (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Tissue Doppler imaging revealed an augmented LV longitudinal displacement, i.e., LV shortening of 21% (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001) and longitudinal 2D strain was 12% higher (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05), in VPG. In VPG, resting heart rate was lower (6 bpm, <italic>P</italic> < 0.05), and VO<sub>2</sub><sub>max</sub> was higher (18%, <italic>P</italic> < 0.05). In addition, RHI was 21% higher (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05) in VPG. VPG also had lower body mass index (P < 0.05), body fat percentage, total body fat mass, android fat percentage, and gynoid fat percentage (all <italic>P</italic> < 0.01). Lifelong participation in football training is associated with better LV systolic function, physical fitness, microvascular function, and a healthier body composition. Overall, VPG have better cardiovascular function compared with CG, which may reduce their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.</p> </abstract>