Athlete's heart

Abstract

Cardiac enlargement in athletes was already recognised by the end of the 19th century through percussion of the chest in cross country skiers, and was later confirmed by use of radiography and evidence from necropsy. The advent of echocardiography allowed investigators to gain a better insight into the heart of athletes, and these findings were in general confirmed by other techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. The present review will focus on the impact of different sports and training on cardiac structure and function, and on electrocardiographic alterations associated with athlete's heart.