Left ventricular function and mechanics in backs and forwards elite rugby union players

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess left ventricular (LV) morphological and regional functional adaptations in backs and forwards elite rugby union (RU) players. Methods: Thirty-nine elite male RU players and twenty sedentary controls have been examined using resting echocardiography. RU players were divided into two groups, forwards (n = 22) and backs (n = 17). Evaluations included tissue Doppler and 2D speckle-tracking analysis to assess LV strains and twisting mechanics. Results: The elite RU players exhibited an LV remodelling characterized by an increase in LV mass indexed to body surface area (82.2 +/- 13.2 vs. 99.9 +/- 16.1 and 119.7 +/- 13.4 g.m(-2), in controls, backs and forwards; P < .001). Compared to backs, forwards exhibited lower global longitudinal strain (19.9 +/- 2.5 vs. 18.0 +/- 1.6%; P < .05), lower early diastolic velocity (16.5 +/- 1.8 vs. 15.0 +/- 2.3 cm.s(-1); P < .05) and lower diastolic longitudinal strain rate (1.80 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.54 +/- 0.26 s(-1); P < .01), especially at the apex. LV twist and untwisting velocities were similar in RU players compared to controls, but with lower apical (-46.2 +/- 22.1 vs. -28.2 +/- 21.7 deg.s(-1); P < .01) and higher basal rotational velocities (33.9 +/- 20.9 vs. 48.4 +/- 20.7 deg.s(-1); P < .05). Conclusion: RU players exhibited an increase in LV mass which was more pronounced in forwards. In forwards, LV global longitudinal strain was depressed, LV filling pressures were decreased, and LV relaxation depressed at the apex.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular morphological and regional functional adaptations in elite rugby union (RU) players. The results showed that RU players exhibited an increase in LV mass, particularly in forwards. Forwards also had lower global longitudinal strain and lower diastolic function at the apex compared to backs.