The MuCAYAplus study- Influence of physical activity and metabolic parameters on structure and function of the cardiovascular system in young athletes

Exercise has a significant impact on the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents, with alterations in cardiovascular structure and function evident even at an early age. Engagement in regular moderate physical activity (PA) is associated with long-term cardiovascular health benefits and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality later in life. However, competitive sports often involve training intensities beyond recommended levels for young athletes, potentially leading to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of early monitoring of the cardiovascular status to prevent detrimental adaptations to intense physical exercise. The MuCAYAplus study (NCT06259617) aims to investigate the yet unclear adaptations to intense exercise in young athletes, focusing on various factors, including cardiovascular health, physical activity, cardiopulmonary performance, body composition, eating habits and biochemical markers. In this longitudinal prospective study, a sample of 250 young competitive athletes (age 10-17) will undergo yearly examinations at the Institute of Preventive Pediatrics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) over the span of three years. The testing protocol includes anthropometric measurements, basic medical examinations, electrocardiography together with blood pressure and pulse wave analysis, echocardiography, sonography of the carotid artery, blood sampling for laboratory analysis, cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer and completion of questionnaires regarding physical activity (MoMo-PAQ) and nutrition. It is not yet fully understood how exercise influences cardiac and vascular remodeling during long-term exercise and how different biochemical and metabolic parameters, body composition and nutrition impact such adaptations. The MuCAYAplus study seeks to address these gaps in knowledge and provide comprehensive evidence on the longitudinal effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system of young athletes.     «

Exercise has a significant impact on the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents, with alterations in cardiovascular structure and function evident even at an early age. Engagement in regular moderate physical activity (PA) is associated with long-term cardiovascular health benefits and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality later in life. However, competitive sports often involve training intensities beyond recommended levels for young athletes, potentially leading to ad...     »