Exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance shows improved diastolic filling by atrioventricular area difference in athletes and controls
2024

Improved Diastolic Filling in Athletes and Controls During Exercise

Sample size: 33 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Jonathan Edlund, Björn Östenson, Einar Heiberg, Håkan Arheden, Katarina Steding-Ehrenborg

Primary Institution: Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Hypothesis

Does the atrioventricular area difference (AVAD) differ when going from rest to exercise in sedentary controls and athletes?

Conclusion

AVAD increases during moderate exercise compared to rest, aiding diastolic filling in both athletes and sedentary controls.

Supporting Evidence

  • AVAD in end-diastole increased during moderate exercise for both groups.
  • AVAD did not increase further during vigorous exercise.
  • Hydraulic force aids diastolic filling during moderate exercise.

Takeaway

When athletes and non-athletes exercise, their hearts fill with blood better during moderate exercise than when they are resting.

Methodology

The study used cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to measure AVAD in 20 athletes and 13 sedentary controls at rest and during exercise.

Limitations

The study lacked invasive data on intracardiac pressure to quantify the magnitude of hydraulic force.

Participant Demographics

20 endurance athletes and 13 sedentary controls, age- and sex-matched, with no history of cardiovascular disease.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1152/japplphysiol.00446.2024

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