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Introduction: Although it is recognized that there are structural and functional cardiac adaptations in power athletes and endurance athletes, it is unknown if there are cardiovascular differences among the soccer players according to their metabolic characteristics. Objective: To compare the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to sympathetic stimulation between a group of «power» professional soccer players and a group of ‘‘endurance’’ ones. Materials and methods: Using field tests and latent class analysis, players were classified as ‘‘power’’ or ‘‘endurance’’ players. Then, hemodynamic and autonomic responses were measured simultaneously (Task Force® Monitor, CNSystems, Austria) during supine position, 70◦ tilting, and sympathetic stimulation with a cold-water pressor test. Results: A total of 22 professional soccer players were included, 9 of whom were classified as ‘‘power’’ and the rest as ‘‘endurance’’ ones. In the 70◦ tilting test, ‘‘endurance’’ players showed a lower heart rate than ‘‘power’’ ones (68.3 vs 76.3 beats/min; difference ---8.0; 95% CI, ---14.5 to ---1.5; P < .05), diastolic blood pressure (84.9 vs 91.0 mmHg; difference ---6.5; 95% CI, ---12.4 to ---1.5; P < .05). In addition, ‘‘endurance’’ players showed higher stroke index (41.1 vs 34.5 mL·m2; difference 6.6; 95% CI, 2.0 to 11.2; P < .05), contractility index (47.5 vs 36.8 [1000/sec]; difference 10.7; 95% CI, 2.7 to 18.7; P < .05), and end-diastole volume index (73.4 vs 62.2 mL·m2; difference 11.1; 95% CI, 2.4 to 19.8; P < .05). Similar outcomes were found with the cold-water pressor test. Conclusions: ‘‘Endurance’’ professional football players have a more effective left ventricular function (systolic and diastolic) and better autonomic modulation in response to sympathetic stimulation than do ‘‘power’’ ones.
