Left ventricular and hemodynamic responses during upright isometric exercise in normal young and elderly men

Cardiovascular responses were studied echocardiographically in 10 young (23 +/- 3 years) and 10 elderly (67 +/- 4 years) men, during upright isometric handgrip and deadlift. During handgrip and deadlift both groups showed significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Those responses were significantly greater in both groups during deadlift. Heart rate was significantly higher in both groups during deadlift than resting and handgrip values. Oxygen uptake increased progressively and significantly across conditions, and was significantly higher for the younger subjects. Ejection fraction remained unchanged during handgrip in both groups. During deadlift it remained unchanged in the elderly while it increased significantly in the younger. Both groups increased significantly heart volumes from rest to handgrip. During deadlift end systolic volume was significantly lower from resting and handgrip values only in the young group. These data indicate a similar cardiovascular response to acute pressure overload in both groups.