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Exercise training-induced alterations of cardiac morphology
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Intense endurance training significantly increases left ventricular mass and dimensions in previously sedentary individuals. This optimal training stimulus leads to cardiac adaptations, improving cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Data on exercise-induced cardiac enlargement in sedentary individuals is inconclusive.
- Previous studies may not have used optimal training stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of an intense, progressive endurance training program on left ventricular structure and function.
- To determine if an optimized training stimulus can induce significant cardiac adaptations.
Main Methods:
- 11 sedentary individuals underwent 7 weeks of high-intensity endurance training (cycling and running).
- Training intensity was progressively increased to provide an optimal stimulus.
- Echocardiograms assessed left ventricular dimensions and mass pre- and post-training.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in interventricular septal thickness (IVS), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume, ejection fraction, and left ventricular mass (LVM).
- Indexed LVEDV and LVM also showed significant increases.
- VO2max increased by approximately 32%.
Conclusions:
- Intense, progressive endurance training induces significant cardiac enlargement in previously sedentary individuals.
- This study demonstrates that an optimal training stimulus leads to beneficial cardiac adaptations.