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Published on: February 20, 2017
Right ventricular myocardial performance index and exercise capacity in athletes
Erdem Kasikcioglu1, Huseyin Oflaz, Hulya Akhan
1Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Reşitpaşa caddesi Salkim sokak No. 2/5 (PK 9), Avcilar, 34840, Istanbul, Turkey. ekasikcioglu@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Right ventricular function is important for exercise capacity in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of habitual exercise training on right ventricular global function. Fifty-two male athletes (25 runners, 27 wrestlers) and 43 age-matched sedentary male subjects were studied. All subjects in the study underwent an echocardiography examination and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Maximal oxygen consumption, right ventricular cavity diameters, and diastolic parameters were higher in the athletes than in controls. However, the right ventricular myocardial performance index was lower in athletes compared with controls. Therefore, the right ventricular myocardial performance index showed a negative correlation with maximal oxygen consumption (r=-0.61; P<0.001). The right ventricular myocardial performance index may reflect changes in right ventricular function and exercise capacity in athletes.
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