The contribution of left ventricular mass to maximal oxygen uptake in female college rowers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and maximal oxygen uptake in female college rowers. We assessed resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in 22 female college rowers (mean age, 19 y) utilizing M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and in a multivariate analysis, and investigated the relationship of these indexes with maximal oxygen uptake, measured separately during 6-min rowing ergometer exercise. Among variables, absolute maximal oxygen uptake (V.O (2)max expressed in l/min) had the strongest correlation with distance for the 6 min of rowing ergometer exercise (r = 0.854, p < 0.0001). Among echocardiographic variables, left ventricular mass (LVM ) showed the strongest correlation with absolute V.O (2)max (l/min) (r = 0.836, p < 0.0001). Left ventricular and atrial dimensions also correlated with absolute V.O (2)max (l/min). However, no correlation with absolute V.O (2)max (l/min) was observed in early peak velocity (E), atrial peak velocity (A) and the E/A ratio. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified only LVM as independent correlates of absolute V.O (2)max (l/min) (p < 0.001). These results indicate that LVM contributes significantly to absolute maximal oxygen uptake associated with the better rowing performance in college female rowers.