Abstract des Autors

The morphologic and functional features of the left heart of all Japan judo athletes were investigated by comparing echocardiographic findings in 40 judo athletes (13 heavyweight, 10 middleweight, and 17 lightweight athletes) with those in 30 long-distance runners and 15 normal volunteers. Although the left intraventricular space increased significantly in the long-distance runners, it was not significantly different from that in the judo athletes. This was probably due to the existence of middleweight and lightweight judo athletes with an enlarged left intraventricular space. Left ventricular wall thickness increased in both the judo athletes and the distance runners without a significant difference. The absence of middleweight and lightweight judo athletes with the increased wall thickness may be one reason for this. Left atrial diameter increased significantly in the distance runners. These results suggest that the absence of significant enlargement of the left ventricle (due to volume loading) in the distance runners and the absence of a significant increase in left ventricular wall thickness (due to pressure loading) in the judo athletes might be because the left ventricle of the middleweight and lightweight judo athletes was similar in morphology to that of the long-distance runners and these judo athletes had used dynamic and isometric exercises. A positive correlation was found in both athlete groups between enlargement of the left ventricle and the left atrium, and an increase in the amount of exercise was thought to be responsible for this. For left ventricular function, the ejection fraction and the left ventricular fractional shortening were smaller in both the judo athletes and the distance runners compared to the normal subjects, while the stroke volume was larger. These findings suggested that left ventricular reserve potential was high in athletes. No organic changes of the valves were noted. Valvular regurgitation was observed in some distance runners but not in judo athletes. Verf.-Referat