Abstract

This single-blind and cross-sectional study evaluated the role of Rho-kinase (ROCK) as a biomarker of the cardiovascular remodelling process assessed by echocardiography in competitive long-distance runners (LDRs) during the training period before a marathon race. Thirty-six healthy male LDRs (37.0 +/- 5.3 years; 174.0 +/- 7.0 height; BMI: 23.8 +/- 2.8;. V O-2-peak: 56.5 +/- 7.3 mL center dot kg(-1) center dot min(-1)) were separated into two groups according to previous training level: high-training (HT, n = 16) >= 100 km center dot week(-1) and low-training (LT, n = 20) >= 70 and 100 km center dot week(-1). Also, twenty-one healthy nonactive subjects were included as a control group (CTR). A transthoracic echocardiography was performed and ROCK activity levels in circulating leukocytes were measured at rest (48 h without exercising) the week before the race. The HT group showed a higher left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) than other groups (p 0.05, for both); also, higher levels of ROCK activity were found in LDRs (HT = 6.17 +/- 1.41 vs. CTR = 1.64 +/- 0.66 (p 0.01); vs. LT = 2.74 +/- 0.84; (p 0.05)). In LDRs a direct correlation between ROCK activity levels and LVMi (r = 0.83; p 0.001), and LAVi (r = 0.70; p 0.001) were found. In conclusion, in male competitive long-distance runners, the load of exercise implicated in marathon training is associated with ROCK activity levels and the left cardiac remodelling process assessed by echocardiography.