Comparison of the Cardiac Structure and Function of Elite Weightlifters and Swimmers

Introduction: Heart is the second major component in the cardiovascular system that is affected by training. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiac structure and function of three groups of swimmers, weightlifters and non-athletes. Methods: The study was a causal comparative research. The statistical sample consisted of three groups of 10 including swimmers, weightlifters and non-athletes. Athletes were the elite swimming and weightlifting volunteers who participated voluntarily in this study. Inclusion criteria for athletes included a history of at least 5 years of regular exercise. After selecting the statistical samples, all participants took part in the echo-heart test in which they were given Color Doppler M-Mode echocardiography with coordination of an echocardiologist. For data analysis one way ANOVA and bonferroni test post hoc tests were used. The p-value was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that LVIDs in the swimmers had a significant decrease (p = 0.01) compared to both weightlifters (p = 0.03) and non-athletes (p =0.02). However, there was no significant difference between weightlifters and non-athletes (p = 0.88).The results also revealed a significant increase in interventricular septal end diastole (IVSd) in the weightlifters compared to the swimmers (p = 0.02) and non-athletes (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) (p= 0.23), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (p = (0.70), left atrium dimensions (LAD) (p = 0.06), aortic root dimension (ARD) (p= 0.96), left ventricular posterior wall dimensions (LVPWD) (p = 0.17), heart rate (HR) (p = 0.80) and ejection fraction (EF) (p = 0.66) in the swimmers and weightlifters. Conclusion: Different changes in the cardiac structure and function of the swimmers and weightlifters are considered as physiological adjustments, and not cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, despite the different effects of strength and endurance exercises on the structure of the heart muscle, it seems that the cardiac performance of the athletes in the two disciplines are the same

Burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in North Africa and Middle East countries, 1990 to 2019: Results from the GBD study 2019

ObjectiveTo provide estimates on the regional and national burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in the North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region.Methods and materialsThe Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data were used. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), death, incidence, and prevalence rates were categorized by sex and age groups in the NAME region, in 21 countries, from 1990 to 2019. Decomposition analysis was performed to calculate the proportion of responsible factors in the emergence of new cases. Data are presented as point estimates with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).ResultsIn the NAME region, TBL cancer caused 15,396 and 57,114 deaths in women and men, respectively, in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) increased by 0.7% (95% UI -20.6 to 24.1) and reached 16.8 per 100,000 (14.9 to 19.0) in 2019. All the age-standardized indices had a decreasing trend in men and an increasing trend in women from 1990 to 2019. Turkey (34.9 per 100,000 [27.6 to 43.5]) and Sudan (8.0 per 100,000 [5.2 to 12.5]) had the highest and lowest age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) in 2019, respectively. The highest and lowest absolute slopes of change in ASPR, from 1990 to 2019, were seen in Bahrain (-50.0% (-63.6 to -31.7)) and the United Arab Emirates (-1.2% (-34.1 to 53.8)), respectively. The number of deaths attributable to risk factors was 58,816 (51,709 to 67,323) in 2019 and increased by 136.5%. Decomposition analysis showed that population growth and age structure change positively contributed to new incident cases. More than 80% of DALYs could be decreased by controlling risk factors, particularly tobacco use.ConclusionThe incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates of TBL cancer increased, and the death rate remained unchanged from 1990 to 2019. All the indices and contribution of risk factors decreased in men but increased in women. Tobacco is still the leading risk factor. Early diagnosis and tobacco cessation policies should be improved