To examine the exercise-induced release of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in adolescent and adult swimmers. Thirty-two trained male (18 adolescents, 14 adults) swam at maximal pace in a 45 min distance trial, and blood samples were drawn before, immediately and 3 h after exercise for subsequent cTnT analysis and comparison. Having comparable training experience and baseline values of cTnT (p = 0.78 and p = 0.13), adults exercised at lower absolute and relative intensity (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), but presented higher immediate cTnT after exercise than adolescents (p < 0.001). Despite that, peak concentrations were observed at 3 h post exercise and peak elevations were comparable between groups (p = 0.074). Fourteen (44%) apparently healthy subjects exceeded the cutoff value for myocardial infarction (MI). Adolescents presented a delayed elevation of cTnT compared with adults, but achieved similar peak values.
Keywords: biomarkers; growth; heart damage; swimming.