Strenuous Endurance Exercise and the Heart: Physiological versus Pathological Adaptations
Pedro L Valenzuela1, Aaron Baggish2, Adrián Castillo-García3,4
1Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain.
Comprehensive Physiology
|August 11, 2022
Summary
Lifelong strenuous endurance exercise (SEE) generally protects the heart, with master athletes exhibiting a youthful cardiac profile. However, further research is needed to understand transient cardiac changes and associated conditions with SEE.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Sports Cardiology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Established benefits of regular physical activity for cardiovascular health.
- Long-standing debate regarding the cardiac effects of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE).
- Need for a balanced overview integrating epidemiological and cardiac imaging data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of the effects of strenuous endurance exercise on the heart.
- To synthesize current knowledge on SEE and cardiac outcomes.
- To identify areas requiring further investigation in the field of exercise cardiology.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological evidence.
- Analysis of recent cardiac imaging findings.
- Synthesis of existing research on SEE and cardiovascular health.
Main Results:
- Lifelong SEE is predominantly cardioprotective.
- Endurance master athletes often display characteristics of a youthful heart.
- Transient declines in heart function or increased cardiac injury biomarkers with SEE warrant further study.
Conclusions:
- SEE generally confers cardioprotection, presenting a youthful heart in master athletes.
- Further research is essential to clarify the mechanisms and clinical significance of SEE-induced transient cardiac changes.
- The underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of SEE-associated atrial fibrillation, myocardial fibrosis, and high coronary artery calcium require elucidation.
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