Jalili, Sima, Vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh, Akbari, Ali, Hosseini Fahraji, Ali. (1404). The Impact of Regular Swimming Training on Cardiac Structure and Function in pre-adolescent boys. سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7(13), 5-26. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.89603.1193
Sima Jalili; Reyhaneh Vahabidelshad; Ali Akbari; Ali Hosseini Fahraji. "The Impact of Regular Swimming Training on Cardiac Structure and Function in pre-adolescent boys". سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7, 13, 1404, 5-26. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.89603.1193
Jalili, Sima, Vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh, Akbari, Ali, Hosseini Fahraji, Ali. (1404). 'The Impact of Regular Swimming Training on Cardiac Structure and Function in pre-adolescent boys', سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 7(13), pp. 5-26. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.89603.1193
Jalili, Sima, Vahabidelshad, Reyhaneh, Akbari, Ali, Hosseini Fahraji, Ali. The Impact of Regular Swimming Training on Cardiac Structure and Function in pre-adolescent boys. سامانه مدیریت نشریات علمی, 1404; 7(13): 5-26. doi: 10.22054/nass.2025.89603.1193
The Impact of Regular Swimming Training on Cardiac Structure and Function in pre-adolescent boys
1School of Health and Sport Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK
2Faculty of Motor Sciences, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium,
3Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
چکیده
Purpose: The plasticity of the pre-adolescent cardiovascular system in response to structured endurance training remains incompletely characterized. Swimming, a unique volume-load stimulus, may promote beneficial cardiac remodeling in children, but data are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week swimming training program on cardiac structure and function in healthy, pre-adolescent boys. Method: In this study, twenty third-grade male students (age: 9.5 ± 0.5 years) were allocated to either a swimming group (Exer, n=10) or a control group (CON, n=10). The Exer group underwent a supervised swimming program (3 sessions/week, 45-60 min/session), while the CON group maintained usual activity. Echocardiographic assessments of cardiac structure (LV end-diastolic dimension [LVEDd], volume [LVEDV], mass [LV mass]) and function (stroke volume [LVSV], cardiac output [LVCO], ejection fraction [LVEF]) were performed pre- and post-intervention. Anthropometric and physiological data, including maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), were also collected. Results: Adherence to the training was excellent (>95%). Significant pre-to-post improvements were observed within the Exer group, including increased LVEDd (p=0.016), LVEDV (p=0.002), LV mass (p=0.001), and LVSV (p=0.006). Resting heart rate decreased and estimated VO₂max increased significantly in the Exer group (p<0.05). No significant within-group changes occurred in the CON group. Between-group analysis indicated a significant interaction effect for LVEF (p=0.044), though post-hoc analysis attributed this to a change within the SWIM group. Conclusion: A 12-week swimming training program induces significant, favorable adaptations in cardiac structure and function in pre-adolescent boys, characterized by eccentric remodeling and enhanced stroke volume. These findings demonstrate the trainability of the pre-adolescent heart and underscore the role of swimming as an effective exercise modality for promoting cardiovascular health in youth.