Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach
Published on: July 21, 2023
Acute effect of ultramarathon on systolic and diastolic cardiac function: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Francisco Veríssimo Perrout Lima1, Diana de Medeiros Andrade1, José Elias Filho2
1Cardiovascular Research Unit and Exercise Physiology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, Martelos, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil.
Background:
Ultramarathon running poses physiological challenges, impacting cardiac function. This systematic review and meta-analysis explore the acute effects of single-stage ultramarathon running on cardiac function.
Methods:
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations were followed. Searches covered Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Central Cochrane, and Scopus. Random effects meta-analyses assessed left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) variables, expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results:
Among 6972 studies, 17 were included. Post-ultramarathon reductions were found in LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (-1.24; 95% CI = -1.77, -0.71 mm), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (-9.92; 95% CI = -15.25, -4.60 ml), LV stroke volume (LVSV) (-8.96 ml, 95% CI -13.20, -4.72 ml), LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (-3.71; 95% CI = -5.21, -2.22%), LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (-1.48; 95% CI = -2.21, -0.76%), E/A (-0.30; 95% CI = -0.38, -0.22 cm/s), .E' (-1.35 cm/s, 95% CI -1.91, -0.79 cm/s), RV fractional area change (RVFAC) (-3.34, 95% CI = -5.84, -0.84%), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (-0.12, 95% CI = -0.22, -0.02 cm), RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) (-1.73, 95% CI = -2.87, -0.59%), with increases in RV end-diastolic area (RVEDA) (1.89, 95% CI = 0.63, 3.14 cm2), RV Peak A' (1.32 cm/s, 95% CI 0.20, 2.44), and heart rate (18.24, 95% CI = 15.16, 21.32). No significant differences were observed in LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), RV end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD), RV Peak E', and RV Peak S'.
Conclusions:
Evidence suggests immediate impairment of systolic and diastolic cardiac function post-ultramarathon running.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:22Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...