Can an Aerobic Exercise Programme Improve the Response of the Growth Hormone in Fibromyalgia Patients? A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Downgrade alterations in the growth hormone (GH) might be involved in the development of some of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) symptoms. Our aim was to assess the effects of an aerobic exercise programme on the GH levels in patients with FMS. A randomised controlled trial was developed. Sixty-four Spanish women with FMS were randomly assigned to the experimental arm (n = 33) and treated with a 16-week group physical exercise programme based on low impact aerobic dance (three weekly sessions, one-hour each), or to the treatment-as-usual (TAU) control arm (n = 31). The primary outcome was the GH response to acute exercise. Secondary outcomes were GH basal, sensitivity to pain, body composition, aerobic capacity, and quality of life. The ANCOVA results showed a moderate effect of treatment improving the GH response to acute exercise. Other effects were substantial for aerobic capacity, quality of life, and body composition. Pre-intervention GH response to acute exercise was related to improvements in aerobic capacity and quality of life. An aerobic exercise programme may improve the response of the GH, aerobic capacity, body composition, and quality of life in women with FMS. The normalization of neuro-hormonal patterns involving the GH might be key for improving some FMS symptoms.

[Postural control in adults. Influence of age and aerobic training.] / Control postural en adultos. Influencia de la edad y del entrenamiento aeróbico.

OBJECTIVE: The ability to control postural balance is essential to perform most of the activities of daily life, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle, avoiding falls. However, aging-related changes in sensory systems, neural processing, information conduction, and musculoskeletal mechanics make postural control difficult in older adults. In the evaluation of posturo-graphic parameters, alterations are observed after physical exercise. The objective of this study focused on analyzing the possible influence of age on postural control in an adult population and comparing the differences in postural control due to the regular practice of aerobic physical activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 116 healthy adults, differentiating them between sedentary and sportsmen (cyclists and runners) and in two age groups (< and ≥ 65 years). Data were collected on the RMS amplitude (root-mean-square) in AP (antero-posterior) and ML (medio-lateral) and the RMS velocity obtained through a force platform in different support and vision conditions. SPSS 15.0 Software was used for the statistical treatment with a significance level of 5%. To compare the dependent variables between the different activity gropus, the t-test and the Mann-Witney were applied (p<0,05), while correlation análisys was applied to study the relationship of age in the postural parameters using p Pearson and Spearman test depending on the distribution of the data. RESULTS: The results reaffirmed the negative influence of physiological aging on postural control mechanisms in the sedentary group, as well as a positive influence of the practice of aerobic exercise regardless of age, with an improvement in balance. More than half of the posturagraphic parameters (PP) were altered in sedentary subjects compared to athletes, who did not show alterations (p<0,05). The RMS-Velocity (mm/s) or distribution of displacement in standing over time, is the parameter with the greatest alteration in all the conditions analyzed (p<0,01), among sedentary subjects regardless of age, not suffering variations among athletes. In relation to the type of sport, we observed better results in cyclists compared to the sedentary group, with less alterations in all PP (RMS-ROM in AP, ML and RMS-Velocity) mainly for single-leg support on a hard surface and with eyes open as well as closed. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the practice of regular aerial exercise is a beneficial activity to improve postural control, preserve the deterioration of balance and prevent falls.

OBJETIVO: La capacidad de controlar el equilibrio postural es fundamental para realizar la mayoría de las actividades de la vida diaria, permitiendo mantener un estilo de vida activo y evitando las caídas. No obstante, los cambios relacionados con el envejecimiento en los sistemas sensoriales, en el procesamiento neuronal, en la conducción de la información y en la mecánica musculo-esquelética dificultan el control postural en los adultos mayores. En la evaluación de los parámetros posturo-gráficos se observan alteraciones tras la realización de ejercicio físico. El objetivo de este estudio se centró en analizar la posible influencia de la edad en el control postural de una población de adultos y comparar las diferencias en el control postural debidas a la práctica regular de actividad física aérobica. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 116 adultos sanos, diferenciándolos entre sedentarios y deportistas (ciclistas y corredores), así como en dos grupos de edad (con edad menor y mayor o igual a 65 años). Se recogieron los datos de la amplitud RMS (root-mean-square o media cuadrática del centro de presión) en AP (antero-posterior) y ML (medio-lateral), y de la velocidad RMS, obtenidos a través de una plataforma de fuerza en diferentes condiciones de apoyo y visión. El tratamiento estadístico se realizó con el software SPSS 15.0 con un nivel de significación del 5%. Para comparar las variables dependientes entre los diferentes grupos de actividad se aplicó la prueba t-test y la Mann-Witney (p<0,05), mientras que para estudiar la relación de la edad en los parámetros posturales se aplicó el análisis de correlación mediante la p de Pearson y la prueba de Spearman dependiendo de la distribución de los datos. RESULTADOS: Los valores obtenidos reafirmaron la influencia negativa del envejecimiento fisiológico sobre los mecanismos de control postural en el grupo de sedentarios, así como una influencia positiva de la práctica de ejercicio aeróbico con independencia de la edad, con una mejora del equilibrio. Más de la mitad de los parámetros posturo-gráficos (PP) estaban alterados en los sujetos sedentarios frente a los deportistas, que no mostraron alteraciones (p<0,05). El RMS-Velocity (mm/s) o distribución de desplazamientos en bipedestación a lo largo del tiempo, es el parámetro con mayor alteración en todas las condiciones analizadas (p<0,01) en sujetos sedentarios independientemente de la edad, no sufriendo variaciones en los deportistas. En relación con el tipo de deporte, observamos mejores resultados en los ciclistas frente al grupo de sedentarios, con una menor alteración de los PP (RMS-ROM en AP, ML y RMS-Velocity), en apoyo monopodal en superficie dura tanto con los ojos abiertos como cerrados. CONCLUSIONES: Podemos concluir que la práctica de ejercicio aérobico regular es una actividad beneficiosa para mejorar el control postural, preservar el deterioro del equilibrio y prevenir las caídas.

Atrial fibrillation in highly trained endurance athletes - Description of a syndrome.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia, the risk of which typically increases with age. This condition is commonly associated with major cardiovascular diseases and structural heart damage, while it is rarely observed in healthy young people. However, increasing evidence indicates that paroxysmal AF can also onset in young or middle-aged and otherwise healthy endurance athletes (e.g., cyclists, runners and cross-country skiers). Here we review the topic of AF associated with strenuous endurance exercise (SEE), for example cycling, running and cross-country skiing, especially at a competitive level, and we propose the definition of a new syndrome based on the accumulating data in the literature: SEE-related AF under the acronym of 'PAFIYAMA' ('paroxysmal AF in young and middle-aged athletes'). Special emphasis is given to the proper differentiation of PAFIYAMA from 'classical AF' regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis and medical management.

No evidence of adverse cardiac remodeling in former elite endurance athletes.

BACKGROUND: The impact of high exercise loads on a previously healthy heart remains controversial. We examined the consequences of decades of strenuous endurance exercise at the highest competition level on heart dimensions and volumes as well as on serum biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis/remodeling. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared echocardiographic measurements and serum biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis/remodeling [troponin I, galectin-3, matrix metallopeptidase-2 and -9, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity-2 (sST-2)/interleukin(IL)-1R4] in 53 male athletes [11 former professional ('elite') and 42 amateur-level ('sub-elite') cyclists or runners, aged 40-70years] and 18 aged-matched controls. A subset of 15 subjects (5 controls, 3 sub-elite and 7 elite athletes) also underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Elite and sub-elite athletes had greater echocardiography-determined left ventricular myocardial mass indexed to body surface area than controls (113±22, 115.2±23.1 and 94.8±21g/m(2), respectively, p=0.008 for group effect), with similar results for left (50.5±4.4, 48.2±4.3 and 46.4±5.2mm, p=0.008) and right (38.6±3.8, 41.1±5.5 and 34.7±4.3mm, p<0.001) ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and cMRI-determined left atrial volume indexed to body surface area (62.7±8.1, 56.4±16.0 and 39.0±14.1ml/m(2), p=0.026). Two athletes showed a non-coronary pattern of small, fibrotic left ventricular patches detected by late gadolinium enhancement. No group effect was noted for biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of their competition level at a younger age, veteran endurance athletes showed an overall healthy, non-pathological pattern of cardiac remodeling. Nonetheless, the physiopathology of the ventricular fibrotic patches detected warrants further investigation.

Impact of an endurance training program on exercise-induced cardiac biomarker release.

We evaluated the influence of a 14-wk endurance running program on the exercise-induced release of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and NH2-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Fifty-eight untrained participants were randomized to supervised endurance exercise (14 wk, 3-4 days/wk, 120-240 min/wk, 65-85% of maximum heart rate) or a control group. At baseline and after the training program, hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were assessed before and 5 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after a 60-min maximal running test. Before training, hs-cTnT was significantly elevated in both groups with acute exercise (P < 0.0001) with no between-group differences. There was considerable heterogeneity in peak hs-cTnT concentration with the upper reference limit exceeded in 71% of the exercise tests. After training, both baseline and postexercise hs-cTnT were significantly higher compared with pretraining and the response of the control group (P = 0.008). Acute exercise led to a small but significant increase in NT-proBNP, but this was not mediated by training (P = 0.121). In summary, a controlled endurance training intervention resulted in higher pre- and postexercise values of hs-cTnT with no changes in NT-proBNP.

Post-exercise left ventricular dysfunction measured after a long-duration cycling event.

BACKGROUND: In this research, an extension to our previous work published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine in 2009, we studied subjects that differed in terms of age and training status and assessed the impact of prolonged exercise on systolic and left ventricular diastolic function and cardiac biomarkers levels, recognized as identifiers of cardiac damage and dysfunction. We also assessed the possible influence of event duration, exercise intensity and weight loss (dehydration) on left ventricular diastolic function. FINDINGS: Ninety-one male cyclists were assessed by echocardiography and serum biomarkers before and after the 2005 Quebrantahuesos cycling event (206 km long and with an accumulated slope of 3800 m). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were assessed in blood serum. Echocardiograms measured left ventricular internal dimension during diastole and systole, left ventricular posterior wall thickness during diastole, interventricular septum thickness during diastole, left ventricular ejection fraction and diastolic filling. The heart rate of 50 cyclists was also monitored during the race to evaluate exercise intensity. Echocardiograph results indicated that left ventricular diastolic and systolic function decreased after the race, with systolic function reduced to a significant degree. Left ventricular ejection fraction was below 55% in 29 cyclists. The decrease in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function did not correlate with age, training status, race duration, weight loss or exercise intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was reduced and cardiac biomarkers were increased after the cycling event, but the mechanisms behind such outcomes remain unclear.

The impact of exercise intensity on the release of cardiac biomarkers in marathon runners.

We sought to determine the influence of exercise intensity on the release of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in amateur marathon runners. Fourteen runners completed three exercise trials of the same duration but at exercise intensities corresponding to: (a) a competitive marathon [mean ± SD: heart rate 159 ± 7 beat min(-1), finish time 202 ± 14 min]; (b) 95% of individual anaerobic threshold [heart rate 144 ± 6 beat min(-1)] and; (c) 85% of individual anaerobic threshold [heart rate 129 ± 5 beat min(-1)]. cTnI and NT-proBNP were assayed from blood samples collected before, 30 min and 3 h post-exercise for each trial. cTnI and NT-proBNP were not different at baseline before each trial. After exercise at 85% of individual anaerobic threshold cTnI was not significantly elevated. Conversely, cTnI was elevated after exercise at 95% of individual anaerobic threshold (0.016 µg L(-1)) and to an even greater extent after exercise at competition intensity (0.054 µg L(-1)). Peak post-exercise values of NT-proBNP were elevated to a similar extent after all exercise trials (P < 0.05). The upper reference limit for cTnI (0.04 µg L(-1)) was exceeded in six subjects at competition intensity. No data for NT-proBNP surpassed its upper reference limit. Peak post-exercise values for cTnI and NT-proBNP were correlated with their respective baseline values. These data suggest exercise intensity influences the release of cTnI, but not NT-proBNP, and that competitive marathon running intensity is required for cTnI to be elevated over its upper reference limit.

A profile of the resistance training practices of elite Spanish club teams.

This study describes the results of a survey of the resistance training practices of the following Spanish sports teams: soccer and basketball professional leagues, and top-division leagues for handball, volleyball, indoor soccer, and field hockey. The response rate was 81.8% (77 of 94). This survey examines (a) strength and conditioning (S&C) coach profiles, (b) resistance training exercises, (c) resistance training load, (d) repetition velocity, and (e) training leading to muscle failure. The results indicate that 80.5% of coaches held a university degree, with 22% holding a master's degrees, 40% held National Federation certification, and none held Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. Respondents relied on nonscientific sources of information to develop their conditioning programs. Fifty-eight percent of the S&C coaches were hired full time, with 18% performing the duties of a first trainer. Many S&C coaches did not use weightlifting (54%), full squat (51%), load squat jump (35%), or bench press throw (100%) exercises. Thirty-eight percent of respondents did not control the load intensity or did not use a load of 50-90% of 1 repetition maximum. For these load intensities, 70% did not perform the combination of maximum repetition velocity and nonmuscular failure. More significant deficiencies in the fundamental principles of resistance training were observed in indoor soccer, soccer, field hockey, and among lower performing handball and basketball teams. These results indicate that the profile of the S&C coaches in the Spanish teams is insufficient for an optimal application of resistance training. Spanish S&C coaches should therefore take advantage of advances made through scientific research in the area of strength and conditioning by acquiring master's degrees and specific certificates and consulting peer-reviewer journals.

Cardiac biomarkers and exercise duration and intensity during a cycle-touring event.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of age, training status, race time, and exercise intensity on the appearance of cardiac biomarkers after a cycle-touring event. DESIGN: Pre-post exercise measurements. SETTING: University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-one amateur cyclists. INTERVENTION: The 2005 Quebrantahuesos cycle-touring event (distance: 206 km; altitude difference: 3800 m). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) were measured the day before and immediately after the race. Heart rate (HR) monitoring was performed on 55 cyclists during the race to evaluate exercise intensity. RESULTS: cTnI and NT-pro-BNP were significantly elevated immediately post race, with 43% of participants exhibiting cTnI levels greater than 0.04 microg/L and 65% of the participants measuring NT-pro-BNP levels greater than 125 ng/L. The cTnI increase was significantly associated with mean exercise intensity HR (r = 0.36, P < 0.01) but was not associated with age, training status, or race time. The increase in NT-pro-BNP correlated with race time (r = 0.40, P < 0.001) and training status (r = -0.36, P < 0.001) but was not associated with age or exercise intensity HR measures. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in part, exercise intensity (HR) is responsible for the cTnI increase and that race time is responsible for the increase in NT-pro-BNP. Future standardized endurance exercise trials are recommended to further elucidate the potentially differential effects of training status, exercise time, and intensity on post-exercise increases in cTnI and NT-pro-BNP.

Evaluación de la cortisoluria en mujeres diagnosticadas de fibromialgia / Evaluation of urinary cortisol levels in women with Fibromyalgia

Objetivo: Los autores del presente artículo se proponen un estudio comparativo del cortisol urinario en una muestra poblacional representativa con diagnóstico de fibromialgia (FM) con evolución prolongada (mínimo 3 años) frente a una población normal con iguales características de edad y sexo, con el objetivo de demostrar si la cortisoluria con valores menores que los encontrados en la población normal en relación con su FM podría explicar su fatiga. Pacientes y método: Se determinó la cortisoluria en un grupo de 47 mujeres con diagnóstico según criterios de FM de la American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990, con edades comprendidas entre 29 y 64 años, previa condición de una correcta recogida de la muestra, mediante un FPIA (fluorescence polarization immunoassay inmunoanálisis de polarización de la fluorescencia ). Se compararon los resultados con la cortisoluria obtenida en un grupo de 88 mujeres sanas incluidas en el mismo rango de edades que las mujeres fibromiálgicas. Resultados: El valor mediano del cortisol urinario en las mujeres fibromiálgicas fue de 65¼g/l, significativamente inferior al de las mujeres sanas, en las que el valor fue de 80¼g/l; p<0,001. Conclusión: Un 33,4% de las mujeres con FM estudiadas presenta una concentración de cortisol urinario significativamente inferior al grupo de mujeres sin FM (AU)

Objective: We propose a comparative study of urinary cortisol in a controlled simple group of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) during a minimum time frame (3 years) vs. a normal group with the same characteristics of age and gender. Our objective is to demonstrate if urinary cortisol at lower levels than those found in the normal population, as long as FM is regarded, could help to evaluate the fatigue. Methods: We determined the urinary cortisol in a group of 47 women with a clinical diagnosis of FM using the criteria from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990, with ages between 29 and 64 years, in whom an accurate sample was collected and cortisol was determined using an FPIA method. The results were compared with the urinary cortisol obtained in a group of 88 healthy women within the same age range as those with FM. Results: Urinary cortisol in FM was 65.0¼g/l (median), which was significantly lower than that of the healthy group (80.0¼g/l), p<0.001.Conclusion: 33.4% of patients with FM displayed urinary cortisol concentrations significantly lower than the group of women without FM (AU)

[Evaluation of urinary cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia]. / Evaluación de la cortisoluria en mujeres diagnosticadas de fibromialgia.

OBJECTIVE: We propose a comparative study of urinary cortisol in a controlled simple group of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) during a minimum time frame (3 years) vs. a normal group with the same characteristics of age and gender. Our objective is to demonstrate if urinary cortisol at lower levels than those found in the normal population, as long as FM is regarded, could help to evaluate the fatigue. METHODS: We determined the urinary cortisol in a group of 47 women with a clinical diagnosis of FM using the criteria from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990, with ages between 29 and 64 years, in whom an accurate sample was collected and cortisol was determined using an FPIA method. The results were compared with the urinary cortisol obtained in a group of 88 healthy women within the same age range as those with FM. RESULTS: Urinary cortisol in FM was 65.0 microg/l (median), which was significantly lower than that of the healthy group (80.0 microg/l), p<0.001. CONCLUSION: 33.4% of patients with FM displayed urinary cortisol concentrations significantly lower than the group of women without FM.

Is there an association between fibromyalgia and below-normal levels of urinary cortisol?

BACKGROUND: Adynamia in fibromyalgia (FM) may be an expression of a functional deficit of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and be associated with below-normal levels of urinary cortisol. Our aim was to demonstrate that urinary cortisol was lower in patients with FM than in healthy subjects. FINDINGS: We measured urinary cortisol levels for a sample of 47 women aged 29 to 64 years (mean age 53 years), diagnosed with FM 2-3 years previously, and compared the results with those for a control sample of 58 healthy women of a similar age. Samples of 24-hour urine were appropriately collected and levels of urinary cortisol were measured using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay method. The mean cortisol value for the women with FM was 65.40 +/- 27.10 mug/L, significantly lower than the mean cortisol level for the control group, at 90.83 +/- 38.17 mug/L (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that women with FM have significantly lower urinary cortisol levels than healthy women.

Echocardiography to measure fitness of elite runners.

We evaluated the echocardiograms of 134 male and 54 female elite runners who competed over different distances to observe cardiac enlargement and differences among athletes engaged in different types of training, and to relate the echographic dimension with running performance. In male runners, left ventricular (LV) internal diameter at end diastole (LVIDd), LV mass, and left atrial diameter were increased by the length of distance ( P < .001) whereas right ventricular diameter was increased only in marathon runners. In female runners, this association was found when LVIDd, LV mass, and left atrial diameter were adjusted for body surface area ( P < .001). Wall thickness was not related to distance running. Abnormal LV dilation was associated with a low LV ejection fraction for the higher values of LVIDd, but not for the higher indexed LVIDd values. In male runners, LVIDd was associated with 100 m ( r = -0.67, P < .01), 10,000 m ( r = -0.70, P < .001), and marathon ( r = -0.54, P < .001) and in female runners with a 400-m ( r = -0.84, P < .001) race time. These results show that sprint- and endurance-trained runners had an eccentric hypertrophy and that it is necessary to establish a new upper limit of abnormal cavity dilatation as indexed LVIDd. The normal systolic function and the relationship between LVIDd and performance indicate that LV enlargement in elite runners is a physiologic adaptation and that echocardiographic assessment can be used to determine the fitness of runners.

Perfil cardiovascular en el futbol-sala. Respuesta inmediata al esfuerzo / Cardiovascular profile of indoor five-a-side football players: immediate response to effort

El jugador de fútbol sala debe ser capaz de desarrollar un tipo de prestación intermitente de elevada intensidad y larga duración, a través de un soporte metabólico mixto donde debe desarrollar una gran potencia y capacidad aláctica con una rápida regeneración de los fosfágenos (ATP y PC), tener una buena tolerancia a niveles medio-altos de ácido láctico y soportarlo a través de una adecuada base aeróbica. Consecuentemente esto se traducirá en una solicitación y sobrecarga muy importante del sistema cardiovascular. Existen muchos estudios que nos aportan datos sobre la respuesta del sistema cardiovascular en otras modalidades de equipo siendo inexistentes los realizados sobre el fútbol-sala. La falta de bibliografía específica nos llevó a la realización de un estudio con el objetivo de establecer la respuesta inmediata cardiovascular que se produce con la práctica regular del fútbol sala a diferentes niveles deportivos y que nos permitiera empezar a establecer pautas y valores de referencia generales y específicos, para su práctica y entrenamiento. Han participado tres equipos federados de fútbol sala pertenecientes a: División de Honor Española, Primera B Nacional y Primera Autonómica. La muestra global presentó un status deportivo de 12 profesionales y 19 amateurs. A lo largo de toda la temporada registramos la frecuencia cardíaca en más de 150 tomas de diferentes partidos y se les realizó una prueba máxima de esfuerzo para obtener su frecuencia cardíaca máxima. El fútbol sala es un deporte con un componente anaeróbico muy elevado, que exige una adaptación cardiovascular entre un 8590 por ciento de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima y en la mayoría de los casos se llega a alcanzar e incluso sobrepasar la frecuencia cardíaca máxima obtenida en la prueba máxima de esfuerzo. Existe una necesidad de establecer pautas de actuación, como medida preventiva, para la población que practica fútbol-sala sin una preparación y control médico adecuado. Los profesionales tienen una mejor adaptación y necesitan realizar un menor trabajo cardiovascular para afrontar los partidos que los no profesionales (AU)

Perfil cardiovascular en el fútbol-sala. Adaptaciones al esfuerzo / Cardiovascular profile of indoor five-a-side football players: adaptation to effort

El fútbol-sala responde a un tipo de ejercicio interválico; basado en esfuerzos fraccionados con pausas activas e incompletas de recuperación. Estos intervalos no permiten una recuperación completa, siendo una sucesión de procesos aeróbicos anaeróbicos que van a requerir una gran solicitación del sistema cardiovascular, llegando muchas veces a su máxima capacidad de rendimiento. Su práctica continuada va a originar una serie de alteraciones fisiológicas en nuestro sistema cardiovascular a nivel morfológico y funcional; que con la práctica habitual producirán unas modificaciones estables en nuestro organismo, haciendo que se adapte y mejore su capacidad, así como su eficiencia ante ese esfuerzo. La ecocardiografia se considerada, en la actualidad, como el "patrón oro" en la valoración del corazón del deportista. Existen numerosos estudios ecocardiográficos de deportistas; siendo la mayoría de ellos realizados en modalidades de resistencia y fuerza, teniendo pocas referencias de estudios en deportes de prestación mixta caracterizados por ejercicios de tipo fraccionado, interválico como es el caso del fútbol-sala. La falta de bibliografía específica nos llevó a la realización de un estudio cardiovascular con el objetivo de establecer la adaptación que se produce con la práctica regular del fútbol-sala a diferentes niveles deportivos y que nos permitiera empezar a establecer pautas y valores de referencia generales y específicos, para su práctica y entrenamiento. Han participado tres equipos federados de fútbol sala pertenecientes a diferentes categorías: División de Honor Española. Primera B Nacional y Primera Autonómica. La muestra global presentó un status deportivo de 12 profesionales y 19 amateurs. Para saber la adaptación producida por la práctica habitual del fútbol-sala se les realizó una ecocardiografia eco-Doppler y un electrocardiograma en reposo. De los resultados obtenidos destaca la bradicardia sinusal presente en un 86,20 por ciento de los casos y unos valores ecocardiográficos dentro de la normalidad. pero por encima, de los obtenidos en poblaciones normales y por debajo de deportistas de resistencia en las cavidades ventriculares y grosores cardíacos (AU)