Cardiovascular effects of 1 year of progressive and vigorous exercise training in previously sedentary individuals older than 65 years of age.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Healthy but sedentary aging leads to cardiovascular stiffening, whereas life-long endurance training preserves left ventricular (LV) compliance. However, it is unknown whether exercise training started later in life can reverse the effects of sedentary behavior on the heart.

Methods and results

Twelve sedentary seniors and 12 Masters athletes were thoroughly screened for comorbidities. Subjects underwent invasive hemodynamic measurements with pulmonary artery catheterization to define Starling and LV pressure-volume curves; secondary functional outcomes included Doppler echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cardiac morphology, arterial stiffness (total aortic compliance and arterial elastance), and maximal exercise testing. Nine of 12 sedentar

SUBMITTER: Fujimoto N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3730488 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature