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Left ventricular volume changes during supine exercise in young endurance athletes
M Sundstedt1, T Jonason, T Ahrén
1Department of Clinical Physiology and Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Central Hospital, Västerås, Sweden.
Young endurance athletes show small cardiac volume adjustments during exercise, with no significant gender differences in left ventricular ejection fraction responses. These findings highlight normal physiological adaptations in elite athletes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Endurance athletes exhibit physiological adaptations to training.
- Understanding cardiac responses to exercise is crucial for assessing athletic performance and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (LVEF) changes from rest to exercise in young endurance athletes.
- To investigate potential gender differences in these cardiac responses.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-five young Swedish orienteers (35 female, 30 male) underwent radionuclide ventriculography.
- Measurements were taken at rest and during submaximal supine bicycle exercise.
Main Results:
- Left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased by 13% and stroke volume by 21% (P < 0.001).
- LVEF increased significantly in 54% of athletes; 5% showed a decrease.
- No significant gender differences were observed in LV volume or LVEF changes.
Conclusions:
- Endurance athletes demonstrate modest cardiac volume adjustments during submaximal supine exercise.
- No gender disparities were found in the left ventricular response to exercise in this cohort.
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