Abstract

To determine whether regular exercise improves left ventricular (LV) contractile function in persons 60 years and older, systolic time intervals (STIs) were measured in 10 healthy men and women (mean age 62 +/-1 year) before and after 6 month of intense endurance training. STIs, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were determined at rest and in response to isometric handgrip exercise. Systolic BP, diastolic BP and HR increased acutely from rest in response to handgrip. The indexes of total electromechanical systole and LV ejection time (ET) index increased, preejection period (PEP) index increased or remained unchanged and PEP/LVET did not change from values at rest in response to handgrip. Training resulted in an 18 increase in maximal oxygen uptake. After training, systolic and diastolic BP were reduced at rest and, along with HR were lower in response to handgrip. However, training did not alter STIs at rest or during handgrip. These findings indicate that healthy persons in their 60s have a normal LV response to isometric exercise. Prolonged, intense endurance training does not alter LV contractile function at rest or in response to isometric exercise. However, training can significantly reduce BP at rest, and markedly lower the HR-systolic BP product attained during acute isometric stress, even in normotensive older subjects. Verf.-Referat