None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The heart can be stimulated to change its size and shape. The heart changing size and shape is a normal adaptation; however, in certain cases this adaptation can become harmful. Change in heart structure predicts heart events (eg. congestive heart failure, abnormal heart beats). Heart size and shape varies considerably between people; it is currently unknown what accounts for most of this variability. Previous studies suggest a genetic contribution; however, no studies have yet identified the specific changes in a person’s genetic makeup which explain why one person has a bigger heart than another. This study aims to identify rare variants in specific genes that are related to abnormal changes in heart structure. This study will do so by tracking changes in heart structure related to endurance exercise training as well as normal aging. Endurance athletes with the greatest change in heart structure will have select genes compared to endurance athletes with the least change in heart structure after 2 years of training. Additionally these gene profiles will be compared to non-endurance athletes who have the greatest and least change in heart structure over a 2-year period. In this way investigators can identify which gene variants are related to highly adaptive versus less adaptive hearts. Identifying gene variants related to heart size may help identify individuals at risk of abnormalities in which the heart enlarges too much. Identifying at-risk individuals allows doctors to identify people who may benefit from advice or treatments that may prevent problems from developing.
Interventions
A prospective comparison of endurance athletes and non-athletes which will assess the primary hypothesis that rare variants in 24 genes associated with abnormalities of cardiac structure will be more prevalent in those athletes with the greatest cardiac remodelling after 2 years of intense endurance exercise training.
All subjects will undergo detailed assessment of cardiac structure and exercise capacity at baseline, after two years, 5 years and every 5 years after that for 25 years total.
Tes
A prospective comparison of endurance athletes and non-athletes which will assess the primary hypothesis that rare variants in 24 genes associated with abnormalities of cardiac structure will be more prevalent in those athletes with the greatest cardiac remodelling after 2 years of intense endurance exercise training. All subjects will undergo detailed assessment of cardiac structure and exercise capacity at baseline, after two years, 5 years and every 5 years after that for 25 years total. Testing will include, anthropometry measures (height, weight, BP), echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, 24h holter monitoring, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging with exercise, VO2 max test, 12 month exercise diary, blood samples, Dexa scan. Selection for genotyping after 2 years.
Sponsors
St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 23 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Endurance athletes, male and female, aged 16-23 years, competing in endurance sports in which aerobic fitness conditioning is a principal component of performance. Aiming to be involved in competition and high level training for more than 5 years. Non-athletes, male and female, aged 16-23 years, less than 2 hours of endurance activity per week, not competing in an endurance sport, not enrolled in a fitness program to improve fitness.
Exclusion criteria
- Known cardiovascular disease - Cigarette smoking (current or previous) - Moderate or severe hypertension. - Use of performance enhancing drugs. - A contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging
Outcome results
None listed