The goals of this observational study are to investigate the accuracy of different predictive equations for body surface area (BSA) estimation and to evaluate the impact of different BSA normalizations on ventricular dilatation prevalence in youth soccer players. Two convenience samples of young soccer players of both genders will be recruited. Acquisition of optical images (for the players of the first sample), two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment (for the players of the second sample), and weight and height measurements (for the players of both samples) will be performed. BSA estimates will be derived from optical images (for the players of the first sample) and from ten different predictive equations obtained from the literature (for the players of both samples). Comparisons between optical imaging - derived BSA and BSA estimates obtained with the ten predictive equations will be performed for the players of the first sample. Absolute and relative values of different echocardiographic variables will be considered for the players of the second sample to assess the ventricular dilatation prevalence.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
400
Estimation of body surface area and quantification of absolute and relative values of echocardiographic variables
University of Turin
Torino, Italy
Body surface area (BSA)
Estimation of the BSA value: weight (unit of measurement: kg) and height (unit of measurement: m) will be combined to report BSA in m\^2
Time frame: Baseline (preseason investigation)
Left ventricular dilatation prevalence
Absolute and relative (normalized to body surface area - BSA) values of the following echocardiographic variables will be considered: 1\) left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD: absolute value in mm; relative value in mm/m\^2); 2) left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV: absolute value in ml; relative value in ml/m\^2). The left ventricular dilatation will be identified if one or both the relative variables are above the following cut-points: i) LVEDD: 30 mm/m\^2 for males and 31 mm/m\^2 for females; ii) LVEDV: 74 ml/m\^2 for males and 61 ml/m\^2 for females.
Time frame: Baseline (preseason investigation)
Right ventricular dilatation prevalence
Absolute and relative (normalized to body surface area - BSA) values of the fright ventricular basal diameter (RVBD: absolute value in mm; relative value in mm/m\^2) will be considered. The right ventricular dilatation will be identified if RVBD is above the cut-point of 22 mm/m\^2 for both males and females
Time frame: Baseline (preseason investigation)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.