Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
07:24
Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR
Published on: April 8, 2013
Effects of sustained training on left ventricular structure and function in top level rowers
V Cavallaro1, M Petretta, S Betocchi
1Institute of Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Heart Surgery, 2nd School of Medicine, Naples, Italy.
European Heart Journal
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Vigorous training increases left ventricular mass and dimensions in athletes but does not alter overall systolic or diastolic function. Some athletes show T wave changes linked to reduced peak filling rate and ejection fraction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Vigorous physical activity, particularly endurance sports like rowing, significantly impacts cardiovascular structure and function.
- Understanding the adaptive changes in the left ventricle is crucial for assessing athlete health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of 5 months of vigorous training on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in elite rowers.
- To investigate potential correlations between electrocardiographic changes and LV functional parameters.
Main Methods:
- 15 elite rowers underwent electrocardiography (ECG), Doppler echocardiography, and radionuclide angiography before and after a 5-month training period.
- Measurements included LV dimensions, mass index, wall stress, and functional parameters like ejection fraction and filling rates.
Main Results:
- Training increased LV hypertrophy voltage criteria (Sokolow-Lyon, Friedman), LV end-diastolic/end-systolic diameters, and LV mass index.
- Peak systolic stress and mean wall stress index decreased post-training.
- No significant changes in mean Doppler or radionuclide-derived systolic/diastolic function were observed.
- A relationship was found between T wave amplitude changes and peak filling rate/ejection fraction in a subset of athletes.
Conclusions:
- Vigorous training in elite athletes leads to cardiac remodeling (increased mass and dimensions) without compromising overall LV systolic or diastolic function.
- T wave changes in some athletes may indicate metabolic or neurohumoral alterations affecting diastolic function.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between intense training, cardiac adaptation, and subtle functional changes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
01:27Regulation of Stroke Volume
The regulation of stroke volume, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out during each heartbeat, is critical for maintaining a healthy circulatory system. Stroke volume is influenced by three main factors: preload, contractility, and afterload.
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
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...
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...
01:22Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO), the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute, is a parameter in cardiovascular physiology determined by stroke volume and heart rate. Stroke volume, the amount of blood pushed from one of the ventricles per heartbeat, is influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility.
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...
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...
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...