Concentric adaptation of the left ventricle in response to controlled upper body exercise training.

Full Abstract

Upper body exercise has many applications to the rehabilitation and maintenance of cardiovascular health of individuals who are unable to exercise their lower body. The hemodynamic loads of upper body aerobic exercise are characterized by relatively high blood pressure and relatively low venous return. It is not clear how the left ventricle adapts to the specific hemodynamic loads associated with this form of exercise training. The purpose of this study was to measure left ventricular structure and function in previously sedentary men by using echocardiography before and after 12 wk of aerobic arm-crank exercise training (n = 22) or a time control period (n = 22). Arm-crank peak oxygen consumption (in ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) increased by 16% (P < 0.05) after training, and significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in wall thickness (from 0.86 to 0.99 cm) but not in left ventricular internal dimension in diastole or systole. This suggested a concentric pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy that persisted after scaling to changes in anthropometric characteristics. No differences (P < 0.05) were found for any measurements of resting left ventricular function. We conclude that upper body aerobic exercise training results in a specific left ventricular adaptation that is characterized by increased left ventricular wall thickness but no change in chamber dimension.

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Author information

Author/s: Gates, Phillip E (PE); George, Keith P (KP); Campbell, Ian G (IG);

Affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Alsager Faculty, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire ST7 2HL, United Kingdom. phillip(-atsign-)spot.colorado.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) (J Appl Physiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Feb; vol 94 (issue 2) : pp 549-54

Dates: Created 2003/01/17; Completed 2003/07/21; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12391094, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Physiological
Adult
Anthropometry
Arm - physiology
Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
Echocardiography
Exercise - physiology

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