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Thirty-three participants had a Dd larger than 70 mm. Moreover, some athletes had a larger aorta and left atrium than had ever been previously reported. The oldest runner was 73 years old.

Our data demonstrated that HRR can be improved in obese subjects by a 3-month exercise and weight loss program. Improvement in cardiopulmonary function by exercise seems to be the main contributor to the increment of HRR.

SummaryBackground and hypothesis: Genetic influence on development of athlete's heart is uncertain. This study investigated whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism influenced development of athlete's heart.Methods: Forty-three participants in a 100-km ultramarathon were classified on the basis of ACE gene polymorphism into a deletion group (n = 26) and an insertion group (n = 17). Echocardiograms were recorded to determine left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction.Results: Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (65.5 k 4.0 mm) and left ventricular mass (369.5 k 73.9 g) were significantly larger in the subjects with deletion than in those with insertion (57.4 f 4.2 mm, 306.5 k 93.7 g). However, no significant differences in the other parameters were noted.Conclusions: In long-distance runners, ACE gene polymorphism of the D/D and DA genotypes has a stronger influence

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