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Cardiac function following prolonged exercise: influence of age.
Laura Banks1, Zion Sasson, Sam Esfandiari
1Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Univ. of Toronto, 55 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2W6.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|March 26, 2011
Summary
Prolonged exercise temporarily impairs left ventricular (LV) function in both young and middle-aged adults. Advancing age does not worsen this exercise-induced LV dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Prolonged exercise (PE) significantly impacts cardiovascular function.
- Understanding age-related differences in cardiac response to exercise is crucial for public health.
- Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic performance are key indicators of cardiac health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age on the left ventricular (LV) response to prolonged exercise (PE).
- To compare LV systolic and diastolic performance post-PE in young versus middle-aged individuals.
- To assess the impact of PE on LV strain, LV strain rate, and diastolic function.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography (ECHO) with speckle-tracking imaging was used to assess LV systolic (LV strain, LV strain rate) and diastolic function.
- Measurements were taken before (pre) and 60 minutes after (post) 150 minutes of exercise at 80% maximal aerobic power.
- Dobutamine stress ECHO was performed to evaluate LV response under pharmacological stress.
Main Results:
- Both young and middle-aged participants showed improved LV strain and LV strain rate post-exercise.
- Diastolic function, indicated by the SR(e/a) and E/A ratios, was reduced in both age groups post-exercise.
- Post-exercise LV strain depression during dobutamine stress was similar between age groups, despite higher noradrenaline in middle-aged individuals.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged exercise leads to transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in both young and middle-aged adults.
- Advancing age does not exacerbate the magnitude of exercise-induced LV dysfunction.
- Cardiovascular recovery following strenuous exercise is comparable between young and middle-aged individuals.
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