Left Ventricular Performance during Exercise and in the Recovery Period following Extensive Exercise in Athletes

Abstract

Left ventricular performance was studied in 9 well-trained athletes at rest, during maximal exercise, and during the recovery period following exercise. All athletes showed an expected response to maximal bicycle exercise in the supine position. During the recovery period signs of impaired diastolic as well as systolic performance were noted. Abnormal filling characteristics and relatively increased duration of systole at the expense of diastole prevailed 25 min after exercise was stopped, reflecting a decrease in left ventricular diastolic distensibility and a compromised contractility. These findings were paralleled by signs of myocardial oxygen debt/increased oxygen consumption during the recovery period. At the last recovery recording (25 min after exercise), the athletes had a ventricular function which showed some resemblance to the characteristics of left ventricles with concentric hypertrophy. The study suggests that the athletes succumbed to myocardial oxygen debt up to 25 min after maximal exercise.

Factors with modifying influence on normal right and left ventricular function at rest and during submaximal exercise in healthy volunteers

“…ALVEDVi or an increase of LVEDVi during exercise, was also independently related to a high VOzmaxC. This agrees well with the fact that a well-trained athletes LV dilates during exercise, thus together with the LVEF increase promoting a greater stroke volume increase than in normals [12].…”

“…LVEDV was calculated using the monoplane area-length method [11]: Regional LVfunction. Regional LVEF's were calculated from count rate variations within eight regions (each with a central angle of 45%) bordering the major and minor LV axis (ED ROI); first and second region correspond to LV "valvular"/upper septal area, second to fourth to the interventricular septum, fourth and fifth to the apex, and fifth to eighth to free wall from apex to superior border/"valvular" area [12]. Using the first harmonic Fourier transformation on each pixel during all 16 frames, a phase and an amplitude image were constructed [12t.…”