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[Systolic time intervals at rest in subjects under prolonged stress: a computerized analysis]
Minerva Medica
|November 14, 1980
Summary
Endurance athletes exhibit lower heart rates and altered systolic time intervals, including total ejection time (TET) and rapid ejection time (TER). These changes suggest cardiovascular adaptations from training may reduce left ventricular afterload.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Physiology
Context:
- Endurance training induces significant cardiovascular adaptations.
- Systolic time intervals (STI) are key indicators of cardiac function.
Purpose:
- To investigate and compare systolic time intervals in endurance athletes versus untrained individuals.
- To explore the relationship between training-induced adaptations and cardiac mechanics.
Summary:
- Endurance athletes (middle and long-distance runners) demonstrated significantly lower heart rates, total ejection time (TET), rapid ejection time (TER), and electromechanical systole duration (QS2) compared to age-matched untrained controls.
- The observed reduction in TER at rest is particularly noteworthy.
- These findings suggest a potential link between enhanced cardiac efficiency, possibly via reduced left ventricular afterload, and adaptations from endurance training.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the physiological adaptations of the heart in response to endurance training.
- Highlights the utility of systolic time intervals in assessing training effects on cardiac function.
- Suggests potential mechanisms for improved cardiac efficiency in athletes.