Impairment of left ventricular function during maximal isometric dead lifting

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• High-intensity, short-duration lifting is common in athletes and laborers.
• The cardiovascular response, particularly to left ventricular (LV) function during intense isometric exercise, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the blood pressure response and its effects on left ventricular (LV) function during maximal upright isometric dead lifting.
• To quantify the magnitude and pattern of hemodynamic changes and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) during this exercise.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen healthy males performed maximal sustained isometric dead lifts (140 ± 34 kg) for 32 seconds.
• Brachial intra-arterial pressure and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were monitored using 99mTc first-pass radionuclide ventriculography.
• Measurements were taken at rest, during the lift, and post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Mean arterial pressure significantly increased from 107 ± 15 mmHg at rest to a peak of 174 ± 28 mmHg during the dead lift.
• Following the lift, arterial pressure dropped rapidly to 88 ± 13 mmHg within 10 seconds.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 63 ± 8% to 51 ± 14% (P < 0.02) in subjects with adequate ventriculograms.

Conclusions:

• Maximal upright isometric dead-lift exercise induces a substantial rise in arterial pressure, increasing LV afterload.
• This acute increase in afterload is associated with a temporary reduction in LVEF in healthy men.
• Findings highlight the significant cardiovascular stress imposed by intense isometric lifting exercises.