Sexes differences in athletes left ventricle with a cell mass indexed

Aim: Differences between sexes in the left ventricle parameters are well established, however, both sport activity and body composition analysis seem to eliminate them. The aim of this study is a sexes comparison of athletes’ hearts with an indexation of body cell mass in elite soccer players. Methods: 18 females were matched with 18 elite male soccer players of the same age (female = 26.2 ± 2.4, male 26.9 ± 2.5; p = NS). An accurate body composition analysis and an echocardiography were performed in the morning on athletes group who were in a rest condition, having not exercised in the previous 12 h and having fasted for breakfast. Results: Body composition show higher values in females for hip circumference/height (female: 0.55 ± 0.03, male: 0.52 ± 0.02; p\0.01) and fat mass index (female: 3.7 ± 0.7 kg/m2, male: 2.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2;p\0.001), while there is no difference in extracellular mass index (female: 7.1 ± 1.2 kg/m2, male: 7.6 ± 0.4 kg/ m2;p= NS). There are no differences in systo-diastolic parameters between sexes. Absolute values of the left ventricular dimension shows higher values in male, when these parameters are indexed with body composition they present their own development with the left ventricular mass being higher in males also with the indexed body cell mass (female: 126.62 ± 16.08 g/m2, male: 142.87 ± 13.48 g/m2; p\0.001). There are no sexes differences with this indexation for the inter ventricular septum. Conclusions: Sport activity seems to slightly reduce the differences in body composition and in left ventricular parameters. The different hormonal statuses play an important role in the adaption also with the same physical effort.