The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of swimming training on left ventricular (LV) cardiac morphology and function in young boys. Antropometric measurements, body composition estimation and resting M-mode and Doppler echocardiography were performed in 24 boys (15/16 years), 12 swimmers and 12 age matched non athletes (control group). Swimmers had higher rest stroke volume, LV end-systolic volume and LV end-diastolic volume than the control group. Fifty percent of the swimmers exhibited end-diastolic LV internal chamber dimension above normal (> 54 mm). As showed by Parameters measured, adaptation to exercise mode induced a typical "athlete's heart" with dominance of volume and diameter (eccentric LV hypertrophy) and mild changes in LV mass. The results supported the concept of an influence of systematic swimming training on the diastolic function.
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