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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(12): 987-993
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1367047
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Right Ventricular Myocardial Responses to Progressive Exercise in Young Adult Males

T. Rowland
1   Baystate Medical Center, Pediatrics, Springfield, United States
,
M. Wharton
2   Skidmore College, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Saratoga Springs, United States
,
T. Masters
2   Skidmore College, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Saratoga Springs, United States
,
M. Mozer
2   Skidmore College, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Saratoga Springs, United States
,
M. Santiago
2   Skidmore College, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Saratoga Springs, United States
,
D. L. Smith
2   Skidmore College, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Saratoga Springs, United States
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 02 January 2014

Publication Date:
16 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Recent attention has been focused on possible unique features of the right ventricular response to exercise. This study investigated a) the responses of right ventricular cardiac dynamics and myocardial function to a standard bout of progressive cycle exercise in healthy young males, and b) the effect of level of aerobic fitness on these responses. 14 athletically-trained males (20.4±1.5 years) and 11 normally-active males (21.1±1.3 years) underwent a progressive upright cycle test to exhaustion with measurement of gas exchange variables and assessment of right ventricular stroke volume, systolic and diastolic myocardial velocities, and tricuspid inflow velocities by standard Doppler echocardiographic techniques at rest, submaximal and peak exercise. Stroke volume rose initially by approximately 27% in each group, followed by stable values to exhaustion. Values of maximal stroke index and maximal oxygen uptake were significantly greater in the trained group than the normally-active males (62±10 ml m−2, 54.3±4.0 ml kg−1 min−1; 49±7 ml m−2, 40.3±5.6 ml kg−1 min−1, respectively). No significant differences were observed in increases in systolic or diastolic myocardial velocities, peak pulmonary outflow velocity, systolic ejection rate, or tricuspid inflow velocity between the 2 groups. The magnitude of change of these variables was similar to those previously described for left ventricular responses to similar exercise. This study revealed no unique features of right ventricular functional responses to an acute exercise challenge in young males.

Key words

stress testing - heart function - echocardiography
 

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