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The third heart sound after exercise in athletes: an exploratory study
Li-Sha Zhong1, Xing-Ming Guo, Shou-Zhong Xiao
1College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China.
The Chinese Journal of Physiology
|December 2, 2011
Summary
The third heart sound (S3) commonly appears in athletes post-exercise, indicating physiological heart burden. Its amplitude can sensitively reflect reduced cardiac function, potentially assessing cardiac fatigue.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- The third heart sound (S3) is typically associated with cardiac dysfunction.
- Understanding S3 prevalence and significance in athletes post-exercise is crucial for differentiating physiological adaptations from pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of the third heart sound (S3) in athletes immediately after exercise.
- To determine the relationship between S3 frequency/amplitude and cardiac function.
- To assess the potential of S3 as an indicator of cardiac burden and fatigue.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the phonocardiogram exercise test (PCGET) on 84 athletes and 45 non-athletes.
- Recorded and analyzed S3 occurrence, frequency, and amplitude pre- and post-exercise.
- Compared S3 prevalence and characteristics between athletes and non-athletes.
Main Results:
- S3 occurred post-exercise in 25.0% of athletes and 22.2% of non-athletes.
- A significant increase in S3 frequency was observed post-exercise (P<0.01).
- The prevalence of S3/S2 ratio ≥1 was significantly higher in athletes (47.1%) than non-athletes (10%).
Conclusions:
- Post-exercise S3 in athletes is likely a physiological response to increased heart burden.
- S3 amplitude is a sensitive indicator of reduced cardiac function.
- The S3/S2 ratio may serve as a valuable tool for assessing cardiac fatigue states.
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