Cardiovascular Stress Profiling of Division I Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Recognizing that athletes can be at risk for a variety of heart conditions, this study focused on testing NCAA Division I athletes to compare the stress put on the heart because of sport-specific exercise. Using the Impedance Cardiography Test (ICG), researchers were able to non-invasively identify hemodynamic parameters on collegiate athletes selected at random from Division I teams at Elon University. Data collected included cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, contractility, and thoracic fluid content. This data provided researchers the information necessary to identify cardiac characteristics that are associated with sport-specific exercise. Results confirmed that athletes participating in sports involving more aerobic activity presented greater cardiac efficiency, while athletes participating in sports involving more anaerobic activity presented lower cardiac efficiency and greater stress on the heart. This unique hemodynamic assessment provided a free health screening, allowing researchers to disseminate information necessary to improve overall health awareness among collegiate athletes.