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Cardiac structure and function in weight trainers, runners, and runner/weight trainers.
B A Elias1, K E Berg, R W Latin
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-2166.
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Men who engage in running or combined running and weight training exhibit enhanced cardiac structure and function compared to exclusive weight trainers. These findings highlight the cardiovascular benefits of aerobic exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Cardiology
Background:
- Athletic training significantly impacts cardiac morphology and function.
- Understanding adaptations in different training modalities is crucial for sports medicine.
- Previous research has explored exercise-induced cardiac changes, but direct comparisons across combined training groups are less defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiac structure and function in adult males engaged in weight training, running, or a combination of both.
- To investigate the effects of different exercise modalities on key echocardiographic parameters.
- To establish differences in myocardial adaptations based on training history.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was employed to measure cardiac dimensions, volumes, contractility indices, and wall thicknesses.
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and body fat percentage were assessed using standard protocols.
- Cardiac variables were analyzed both in absolute terms and relative to total body weight.
Main Results:
- Runners showed significantly greater relative left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular internal systolic diameter (LVIDs), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) compared to weight trainers.
- Individuals participating in both running and weight training exhibited significantly greater relative LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPW, interventricular septum thickness (IVS), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) than weight trainers.
- No significant differences in myocardial structure or function were observed between the runner and runner/weight trainer groups.
Conclusions:
- Adult males who participate in running or a combination of running and weight training demonstrate similar cardiac structural and functional characteristics.
- These individuals possess greater relative internal cardiac dimensions and left ventricular wall thickness compared to those who exclusively engage in weight training.
- Combined training and endurance running promote superior cardiac adaptations over isolated resistance training.