The impact of different body surface area prediction equations on ventricular dilatation prevalence in youth soccer players

Objective: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of different predictive equations for estimating body surface area (BSA) in youth soccer players and to evaluate how the choice of BSA normalization influences echocardiographic measures of ventricular size. By comparing 3D optical imaging-derived BSA with ten commonly used equations, the researchers sought to identify the most reliable formulas for athletic populations.

Implications: ​The findings show that most existing equations overestimate body surface area (BSA) in youth soccer players, especially in males. Newer equations were more accurate and should be used for this group. We also showed that the choice of BSA equation changes how ventricular size is classified, which affects the reported prevalence of ventricular dilatation. Using the right normalization method is essential to improve the accuracy of echocardiography in athletes.

Marco Alessandro Minetto, Elisabetta Toso, Federico Della Vecchia, Andrea Ferraris, Massimo Magistrali, Gianluca Alunni, Chiara Busso, Angelo Pietrobelli, John A. Shepherd, Steven B. Heymsfield (August 2025)
“The impact of different body surface area prediction equations on ventricular dilatation prevalence in youth soccer players”.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine