COUREUR Study Myocardial Inflammation in Cyclist Part 1

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study will evaluate myocardial inflammation in cyclists after high intense and sustained exercise. Our hypothesis is that strenuous exercise in recreational cyclists may be associated with myocardial inflammation. Myocardial fibrosis in asymptomatic athletes is associated with life-threatening arrhythmic events and sudden death. Although myocarditis seems to be the most likely underlying cause, it remains unclear if strenuous and sustained physical exercise can cause myocardial inflammation with development of myocyte necrosis and possibly myocardial fibrosis in athletes. Nineteen recreational cyclists performing L'ETAPE DU TOUR (EDT) de France a cycling ride (175 km, 3600 m of positive altitude difference) on July 4 2021 will be included in this study. In part 1 of the study, each participant will complete a detailed questionnaire detailing their training history and an echocardiography at rest will be performed. All participants will have exercise testing approximately 1 week before the EDT stage to set aerobic and anaerobic gas exchange thresholds, as well as VO2max.

Official Title
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Detection of Myocardial Inflammation in Cyclists After Strenuous Exercise: a Pilot Study Part 1

Conditions
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Myocardial Inflammation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: exercise testing
* Diagnostic Test: Echocardiography


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Recreational cyclists performing the 'étape du tour (EDT) de France 2021 ride Exclusion Criteria: presence of pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases, any inflammatory or auto-immune diseases and the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Recreational cyclists performing the 'étape du tour (EDT) de France 2021<br> | Diagnostic Test: exercise testing<br>* To define the strenuous physical exercise in this study, each participant will be asked to perform two hours of high intensity (HIT)-effort during the endurance exercise of at least 6 to 7 hours. Therefore all participants will have exercise testing approximately 1 week before the physical exercise to set aerobic and anaerobic gas exchange thresholds, as well as VO2max.<br>Diagnostic Test: Echocardiography<br>* Measurements of mass, volumes and function will be obtained of both the left and right ventricles at rest enabling comparisons with cardiac MRI and traditional echo measures.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DETECTION OF MYOCARDIAL INFLAMMATION IN CYCLISTS AFTER STRENUOUS EXERCISE: A PILOT STUDY PART 1 | Aerobic and anaerobic gas exchange heart rate thresholds, and VO2max (ml/kg/min) will be measured in all cyclists approximately 1 week before the high intense exercise. This exercise testing will be performed to evaluate high-intensity exercise as factor of exercise-induced myocardial inflammation in cyclists. | approximately 1 week before the strenuous exercise | 
| DETECTION OF MYOCARDIAL INFLAMMATION IN CYCLISTS AFTER STRENUOUS EXERCISE: A PILOT STUDY PART 1 | Assessments of weight (in kilograms) and heigth (in meters) to determine VO2 max (ml/kg/min) | approximately 1 week before the strenuous exercise |