Aerobic Exercise under Cold Conditions May Affect the Cardiac Structure by Elevating the Galectin 3 and CK-MB Levels.

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Cardiovascular health
• Environmental medicine

Background:

• Regular exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health, but environmental factors like temperature can influence its effects.
• Biomarkers such as galectin-3 (Gal-3) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) are indicators of myocardial stress and injury.
• Understanding the impact of cold-weather exercise on cardiac biomarkers is important for athlete and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the myocardial effects of acute aerobic exercise in cold weather (0°C) versus temperate conditions (20°C) in healthy individuals.
• To measure changes in galectin-3 (Gal-3) and CK-MB levels in response to exercise at different temperatures.
• To compare these effects between professional athletes, physically active individuals, and sedentary individuals.

Main Methods:

• Forty-one healthy individuals (professional athletes, physically active, sedentary) participated.
• Participants underwent 40 minutes of acute aerobic running exercise at 0°C and 20°C.
• Serum levels of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and CK-MB were measured before and after exercise.

Main Results:

• Baseline Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in athletes and physically active individuals compared to sedentary individuals.
• Exercise at 0°C, but not 20°C, led to a significant increase in post-exercise Gal-3 levels (+7.1%).
• Significant increases in post-exercise CK-MB levels were observed at 0°C, but not at 20°C.

Conclusions:

• Aerobic exercise in cold conditions (0°C) may induce myocardial injury, as evidenced by increased Gal-3 and CK-MB levels.
• Regular exercise is associated with biochemical changes that could potentially affect cardiac structure and function.
• Cold exposure during aerobic exercise warrants further investigation regarding its impact on cardiac health.