MUSCAT: Oman’s FIVB International Coach Instructor, Dr Shihab Al Din bin Ahmed al Riyami, will present his scientific research on 'Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Remodeling in Elite Male Volleyball Players' at the prestigious World Congress of Sports Medicine, organised by the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS). The high-profile sports medicine event will take place in Dubai from October 24 to 27.
Speaking about his research, Dr Shihab explained, “Volleyball is a high-power, anaerobic sport that leads to cardiac adaptations, including increased left ventricular (LV) cavity size, wall thickness and functional changes, commonly referred to as ‘athlete’s heart.’”
Dr Shihab’s study involved 60 healthy volleyball players from the top 10 national teams in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) rankings, with participants from Brazil, Serbia, Poland, Iran, Colombia, Cameroon, Japan, Egypt, Qatar and Tunisia. Six players were randomly selected from each team based on their playing positions. Key cardiac parameters such as left ventricular dimensions, wall thickness, stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction were measured using two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler imaging.
“The results of the study showed that 48 athletes (80 per cent) had normal LV geometry, while 10 per cent exhibited concentric remodelling, 5 per cent had eccentric hypertrophy and another 5 per cent displayed concentric hypertrophy. The opposite position players were the most affected, showing signs of both concentric and eccentric hypertrophy,” Dr Shihab said.
Dr Shihab concluded that, although cardiac remodelling in elite volleyball players is a natural physiological adaptation, regular cardiac check-ups are recommended to prevent cardiovascular incidents. He noted that 10 per cent of the athletes in the study showed signs of heart remodelling based on their playing positions.
Dr Shihab Al Din’s participation in the World Congress of Sports Medicine is one of many prestigious contributions he has made to sports science and coaching. In addition to presenting research, he will also serve as a keynote speaker at this event.
With a long history of involvement in international seminars and workshops across countries such as Italy, Slovenia, Ukraine, Turkiye and Serbia, Dr Shihab also works as an FIVB instructor and expert with the Asian Volleyball Federation, and he leads the National Coach Certification Programme at the Oman Olympic Academy.
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