Aspects echographiques du coeur du sportif

Sporting activities and athletic training induce not only physiologic, but also morphologic changes. Dynamic training is associated with an enlarged left ventricle and a small increase in wall thickness. Athletes who perform predominantly static or isometric exercise have increased wall thickness with normal left ventricular internal diameter. Systolic and diastolic function are normal. Echocardiography is the method of choice to identify and follow the athlete's heart and to distinguish between physiologic and pathologic hypertrophy.