cardiac remodeling
Structural and functional changes in the heart in response to chronic exercise training.
Full Definition
Cardiac remodeling encompasses the complex structural and functional adaptations that occur in the heart in response to chronic exercise training, including changes in chamber size, wall thickness, and contractile function. In athletes, this process typically results in beneficial adaptations such as increased cardiac output, enhanced diastolic filling, and improved exercise tolerance. The remodeling process involves cellular, molecular, and geometric changes that optimize cardiac performance for the specific demands of training. Understanding these adaptations is crucial in sports cardiology to distinguish normal training effects from pathological conditions and to guide clinical decision-making regarding athletic participation.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'remodeling' (US spelling) consistently in medical contexts.
In Context
- "The longitudinal study documented progressive cardiac remodeling in collegiate swimmers over four years of training." — research publication
- "Distinguishing physiological from pathological cardiac remodeling requires comprehensive multimodal imaging." — clinical review