Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Surgical Placement of Catheters for Long-term Cardiovascular Exercise Testing in Swine
Published on: February 9, 2016
Effects of age on ventricular performance during graded supine exercise
Abstract:
To assess the effects of age on ventricular performance, graded supine exercise tests with equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography were performed in six normal subjects of mean age 37 +/- 4 years and in eight normal subjects with a mean age of 59 +/- 2 years. At a standard submaximal work load, older subjects had a similar heart rate (older: 126 +/- 10, younger: 128 +/- 5 bpm) and systolic blood pressure responses (older: 198 +/- 24, younger: 202 +/- 24 mm Hg). Cardiac output counts increased appropriately in both groups during submaximal exercise. However, when expressed as percent change from resting values, the increases in cardiac output (older: 125 +/- 14, younger: 75 +/- 10 L/min; p less than 0.05) were greater for the older subjects. The percent change in end-diastolic counts (older: 8.4 +/- 5, younger: -2.8 +/- 4), stroke counts (older: 26 +/- 6, younger: 8.6 +/- 4), and ejection fraction (older: 18 +/- 3, younger: 11 +/- 1%) in proceeding from rest to exercise Stage III (600 kg-m/min) was greater for the older subjects. Age-related differences in each of these measurements were significant at p less than 0.05. These findings suggest that cardiac output during exercise is maintained by an increased heart rate in younger subjects, and by a combination of increased heart rate and the Frank-Starling mechanism in older individuals. Since the heart rate and mean blood pressure response to exercise were similar in both groups, the use of the Frank-Starling mechanism during exercise in older subjects suggests that age-related differences in ventricular preload are important in modulating the performance of the aging left ventricle.
More Related Videos
12:59Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
04:48Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Exercise 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...
Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology