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Altered cardiac function and minimal cardiac damage during prolonged exercise.

Robert Shave1, Ellen Dawson, Gregory Whyte

  • 1Department of Sport Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK. rob.shave@brunel.ac.uk

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 6, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This study found that a simulated half-ironman triathlon reduced left ventricular contractility and altered diastolic filling in highly trained triathletes, with minimal cardiac damage observed. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Endurance events like triathlons place significant stress on the cardiovascular system.
  • Understanding cardiac function and potential damage in elite athletes is crucial for training and health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cardiac function and damage markers in highly trained male triathletes during a simulated half-ironman triathlon.
  • To assess changes in left ventricular contractility and diastolic filling post-exercise.

Main Methods:

  • Nine elite male triathletes completed a simulated half-ironman triathlon (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run).
  • Echocardiography and blood samples (creatine kinase, cardiac troponin T) were collected pre-exercise, post-stage, and 24h post-exercise.
  • Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function parameters were analyzed.

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Main Results:

  • Left ventricular contractility (Systolic Blood Pressure/End Systolic Volume ratio) significantly decreased post-triathlon.
  • Diastolic filling (E:A ratio) was significantly reduced after the run phase.
  • Cardiac enzyme levels (Creatine Kinase, CK-MBmass) increased, and Cardiac Troponin T was elevated in some athletes.

Conclusions:

  • The half-ironman triathlon induced physiological stress, leading to reduced left ventricular contractility and altered diastolic filling in trained triathletes.
  • Minimal cardiac damage was observed, indicated by transient elevations in cardiac biomarkers.
  • The underlying mechanisms for these cardiac alterations after prolonged exercise require further investigation.