Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Collegiate Football Players and Nonathletes |
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| Authors: | Devon A. Dobrosielski PhD Daryl Rosenbaum MD Benjamin M. Wooster BIS Michael Merrill MD John Swanson BS J. Brian Moore MS |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Cardiology , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland;2. Department of Family and Community Medicine , Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center , Winston-Salem , North Carolina;3. Department of Health and Exercise Science , Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem , North Carolina;4. Department of Cardiology , Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center , Winston-Salem , North Carolina |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Collegiate American football players may be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Objective: To compare cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular structure and function parameters of football players, stratified by position, to a group of sedentary, nonathletes. Participants: Twenty-six collegiate football players and 13 nonathletes participated in this study. Methods: Blood pressures, anthropometrics, and blood chemistries were obtained and analyzed using standardized procedures. Resting echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac morphology and function. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was assessed using high-resolution ultrasonography. Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher amongst the linemen compared to the skill-position players (46% versus 0%, p < .05). Mildly abnormal wall thickness was noted in 20% of the football players. No significant differences in vascular function were observed between the groups. Conclusions: The increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in the collegiate linemen may increase cardiovascular disease risk. |
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| Keywords: | echocardiography heart disease metabolic syndrome vascular function |
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