Scaling left ventricular mass in adolescent female soccer players.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The aim of the study was to examine the contribution of chronological age (CA), skeletal maturation, training experience and concurrent body size descriptors, to inter-individual variance in left ventricular mass (LVM) among female adolescent soccer players. METHODS:The sample included 228 female soccer players 11.8-17.1?years. Training experience defined as years of participation in competitive soccer (range 2-9?years), was obtained by interview. Stature, body mass and skinfolds (triceps, medial calf) were measured. Fat mass was estimated; Fat-free mass was derived. LVM was assessed by echocardiography. Skeletal maturity status was as the difference of skeletal age (SA, Fels method) minus CA. RESULTS:Fat-free mass was the most prominent single predictor of LVM (R2?=?36.6%). It was associated with an allometric coefficient close to linearity (k?=?0.924, 95%CI: 0.737 to 1.112). A significant multiplicative allometric model including body mass, fat-free mass, CA, training experience and skeletal maturity status was also obtained (R?=?0.684; R2?=?46.2%). CONCLUSION:Stature has limitations as a valid size descriptor of LVM. Body mass, fat-free mass, training experience, CA, body mass and skeletal maturity status were relevant factors contributing to inter-individual variability in LVM.

SUBMITTER: V Martinho D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7153237 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature