Enhanced left ventricular performance in endurance trained older men

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Age-related decline in aerobic capacity is partially reversible with endurance training.
• Moderate-intensity training improves aerobic capacity by enhancing stroke volume and left ventricular performance in older men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize cardiovascular adaptations to strenuous, long-duration endurance exercise.
• To identify mechanisms behind increased stroke volume and cardiac output in highly trained older endurance athletes.

Main Methods:

• Studied nine male master athletes (MA) and nine age-matched sedentary controls.
• Evaluated left ventricular systolic function using cardiac blood pool imaging and echocardiography.
• Measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and blood pressures at rest and during exercise.

Main Results:

• Master athletes had significantly higher VO2max (50.4 vs. 29.6 mL.kg-1 x min-1).
• Left ventricular systolic function at peak exercise was superior in MA, with higher ejection fraction reserve and fractional shortening.
• MA demonstrated greater decreases in end-systolic volume and diameter during exercise, indicating enhanced contractility.
• Higher resting end-diastolic volume in MA contributed to increased peak exercise stroke volume, alongside improved intrinsic left ventricular function.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac adaptations in older endurance-trained men include volume-overload left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Enhanced left ventricular systolic performance at peak exercise contributes to increased stroke volume.
• These adaptations support superior cardiovascular function in master athletes.