Sex influence on myocardial function with exercise in adolescents

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

• Previous research suggests adult men have superior ventricular systolic response to exercise compared to women.
• Adolescent cardiovascular adaptation to exercise requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate myocardial responses to maximal upright progressive exercise in late pubertal males and females.
• To compare ventricular systolic and diastolic function between adolescent boys and girls during maximal exercise.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Doppler echocardiographic techniques to assess myocardial function.
• Measured response to a bout of progressive cycle ergometry exercise.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in systolic functional capacity between boys and girls at maximal exercise, including ejection rate and peak aortic velocity.
• Diastolic function estimates, such as transmitral pressure gradient, ventricular relaxation (E'), and left ventricular filling pressure (E/E' ratio), were similar in both sexes.

Conclusions:

• This study did not find qualitative or quantitative differences in ventricular systolic or diastolic functional responses to maximal cycle exercise between adolescent boys and girls.
• Cardiovascular adaptations to maximal exercise appear similar in late pubertal males and females.