AUTHOR=Milovančev Aleksandra , Petrović Milovan , Miljković Tatjana , Ilić Aleksandra , Mudrinić Tatjana Redžek , Miljković Aleksandar , Ivanov Olivera , Tripunović Jelena , Anđelic Bogdan , Bianco Antonino , Drid Patrik 

TITLE=The elite judo female athlete’s heart

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.990142

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.990142

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=Purpose: There is a paucity of data on physiological heart adaptation in elite-level judo female athletes. This study aimed to assess left ventricular morphology and function in highly trained elite female judokas. 
Methods: The study prospectively included 18 females aged 23.5 ± 2.25 years, 9 elite level judokas, and 9 healthy non-athlete volunteers. All participants underwent a medical examination, electrocardiogram, and transthoracic 2D echocardiogram. Various parameters of left heart morphology and function were measured and compared between groups. 
Results: When groups were compared, judokas had significantly increased left ventricular cavity dimensions p < 0.01, left ventricular wall thickness p < 0.01, and volumes p < 0.01. Elite female judokas exhibited left ventricular dilatation demonstrated as high prevalence increased end-diastolic volume/index, and increased end-systolic volume/index in 88.9% of judokas vs. 0% in controls, p < 0.01. Left ventricle mass/index was significantly increased in judokas, p < 0.01), with a 43.3% difference between groups. The majority (77.7%) of judokas had normal left ventricular geometry, although eccentric hypertrophy was revealed in 2 (22.2%) of judokas. 
Conclusion: Elite, highly trained female judokas exhibit significant changes in left heart morphology as a result of vigorous training when compared to non-athletes. These findings suggest that female judokas athletes' heart follows a pattern toward chamber dilatation rather than left ventricular wall hypertrophy.