Biomedical subjects

K Nazar

Publications and source records attributed to K Nazar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Glucose infusion into exercising dogs after confinement: rectal and active muscle temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous glucose infusion into ambulatory dogs results in attenuation of exercise-induced increase of both rectal and thigh muscle temperatures. HYPOTHESIS: That glucose (Glu) infusion attenuates excessive increase in body temperature from restricted activity during confinement deconditioning. METHODS: Rectal (Tre) and quadriceps femoris muscle (Tmu) temperatures, metabolic rate, and blood samples were taken before and after 90 min of moderate treadmill exercise (mean = 3.1 +/- SE 0.2 W.kg-1) at Tdb = 21 +/- 1 degrees C and 45-60% rh from 7 male mongrel dogs (19.6 +/- SD 3.0 kg) with i.v. infusion of 40% Glu in 0.9% NaCl (0.07 ml.kg-1.min-1) or 0.9% NaCl (0.07 mg.g-1.min-1) both before and after 8 weeks of cage confinement. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SE) delta Tre (90-0 min) were: NaCl.after = 1.8 +/- 0.4 degrees C vs. 1.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C (NS) before confinement; Glu.after = 1.3 +/- 0.2 degrees C vs. 0.9 +/- 0.3 degrees C (p < 0.02) before confinement. Comparable delta Tmu (90-0 min) data were: NaCl.after = 2.5 +/- 0.4 degrees C vs. 1.9 +/- 0.4 degrees C (NS) before; Glu.after = 1.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C vs. 1.4 +/- 0.4 degrees C (NS) before. Glucose infusion significantly attenuated the rise of Tmu (1.9 degrees vs. 1.4 degrees C) only before confinement, but attenuated the rise of Tre both before (1.4 degrees vs. 0.9 degrees C) and after (1.8 degrees vs. 1.3 degrees C) confinement. Body temperature attenuation was not related to change in plasma volume, osmolality, [Glu], [lactate], [cortisol], or heat production with constant VO2. CONCLUSION: Intravenous glucose infusion attenuates the rise in exercise core temperature in deconditioned dogs by a yet undefined mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Choice reaction time during graded exercise in relation to blood lactate and plasma catecholamine thresholds.

Twenty-two male soccer players (mean age 21.3 yrs) performed an incremental, multistage bicycle ergometer exercise test with work load increasing by 50 W, until volitional exhaustion. The exercise stages lasted 3 min and were separated by 1 min resting periods. Before exercise and during each load an audio-visual five-choice reaction task was administered to assess subjects' psychomotor performance. During resting intervals venous blood samples were taken for lactate (LA), adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) determinations. It was found that reaction time (RT) decreased gradually during exercise reaching its minimum (approx. 87% of pre-exercise value) at load 236 W (approx. 75% VO2max, HR 164 beats/min). Then, it increased rapidly, exceeding the resting level by 18%. The work load and heart rate (HR) associated with the minimal RT were higher (p < 0.001) than work load and HR associated with the LA threshold (by 46 W and 17 beats/min, respectively). Plasma A and NA showed an exponential increase during exercise with thresholds at 204 and 208 W, respectively (HR 149 and 154 beats/min). Work load at which plasma NA threshold occurred was significantly higher than the LA threshold but it did not differ from the work load associated with the minimal RT. Conversely, plasma A threshold was lower than the load of the minimal RT but did not differ significantly from LA threshold. It is concluded that young athletes continue to improve their psychomotor performance during exercise even at heavy work loads exceeding anaerobic, and plasma adrenaline thresholds. A relationship between reaction time and plasma catecholamines fits the U-shape curve.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Effect of mild psychological stress on physiological responses to exercise in men.

UNLABELLED: To find out whether a negative shift in subject's mood alters cardio-respiratory and endocrine responses to exercise, 20 young men performed a graded bicycle ergometer test (50, 100, 150 W): 1) when they experienced a mixed emotional and cognitive stress before exercise (1st session), 2) when they were familiarized with the laboratory and rested quietly before exercise (2nd session). The subjects' mood was assessed by the Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire. In the 1st session the subjects started exercise with significantly higher scores of tension, anger, depression, confusion and global mood in comparison with the 2-nd session. They also had slightly elevated systolic blood pressure, blood lactate, plasma cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations. During exercise performed in the 1st session only plasma free and total noradrenaline and cortisol levels were higher than those in the 2nd session. IN CONCLUSION: a mild psychological stress, causing the mood worsening before standard exercise test, does not evoke pronounced alterations in cardio-respiratory responses to exercise in healthy men, but it does affect the magnitude of exercise-induced changes in both plasma free and total noradrenaline concentrations.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Electrical stimulation partly reverses the muscle insulin resistance caused by tenotomy.

It was shown that 15-min electrical stimulation of the rat sciatic nerve greatly increases the in vitro measured sensitivity of lactate formation, glucose transport, and glycogen synthesis to insulin, impaired by previous tenotomy. The insulin sensitivity of all these processes was, however, still below that found in the stimulated intact soleus muscle. Extending the stimulation up to 30 min did not cause any further changes in insulin sensitivity either in tenotomized or in intact muscles.

Achilles Tendon↗

PubMed1993

Anaerobic threshold in rats.

1. The aim of this study was to find out whether the anaerobic threshold (AT) can be estimated in rats running at increasing speed and if so what is the reproducibility of the measurements. 2. Lactate (LA) concentrations in blood taken from 11 rats were determined during a discontinued, multistage treadmill exercise test repeated four times in each animal. 3. It was found that blood LA changes vs speed have an exponential pattern with a distinct, rapid rise at the speed above 25 m/min which corresponds to blood LA of approx. 4 mmol/l. 4. The variation coefficient of the speed at which AT occurred in individual animals ranged between 10 and 20%. 5. These results offer a potential application of AT determination in the animal studies concerning mechanisms controlling exercise metabolism.

Anaerobic Threshold↗

PubMed1993

Effect of phosphate supplementation on metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to exercise and oral glucose load in obese women during weight reduction.

Thirty six obese women (BMI 29.5 to 44.0 kg m-2, aged 27 to 45 yrs) participated in the 4- week weight reducing program. All of them have prescribed low fat diet of approx. 4.2 MJ (1000 kcal per day) with high viscous fibre capsules as a basic supplement. In addition 18 women (group 1) received Redusan mineral tablets containing mainly calcium and potassium phosphates while the remaining subjects (group 2) were given Placebo instead of mineral tablets. Before energy restriction and after 4 weeks on the diet, half of the women from each group performed 30 min--bicycle ergometer exercise (30-50 W; HR approx. 110 beats.min-1). The remaining subjects were submitted to oral glucose (75 g) tolerance test (OGTT). Weight loss during energy restriction was not affected by phosphate supplementation (4.6 +/- 0.4 and 5.2 +/- 0.5 kg in group 1 and 2, respectively). Phosphates caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Net energy cost of work, resting and post-exercise blood glucose, lactate, plasma FFA, adrenalin, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin and testosterone did not differ between the groups receiving phosphates and placebo while respiratory exchange ratio was slightly higher (p < 0.05), and the plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration lower (p < 0.05) than without phosphate supplementation. Post-exercise plasma noradrenaline was significantly lowered after 4 weeks of energy restriction in group 2 (on Placebo). Neither blood glucose, plasma insulin and noradrenaline responses to oral glucose ingestion nor the glucose induced thermogenesis were significantly affected by phosphate supplementation, whilst blood pressure increases following glucose load were reduced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study confirmed a potential usefulness of phosphate supplementation during energy restriction in obese patients due to its effect on resting metabolic rate. The results did not, however, reveal any major alterations in the metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise or to glucose ingestion in comparison with placebo treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Muscle mitochondrial density after exhaustive exercise in dogs: prolonged restricted activity and retraining.

The effect of exhaustive treadmill exercise on mitochondrial density (MD) and ultrastructural changes in quadriceps femoris muscle was studied in 7 normal, healthy, male mongrel dogs (2-4 years, 15-20 kg) before and after restricted activity (RA) (2 months for 5 dogs, 5 months for 2 dogs), and following a subsequent 2-month exercise retraining period (2-months group). Mean (+/- S.E.) time to exhaustion in the 2-month group decreased from 177 +/- 11 min before to 90 +/- 16 min (delta = -49%, p < 0.05) after RA; retraining increased tolerance to 219 +/- 36 min (delta = +24%, p < 0.05) above the pre-RA and 143% (p < 0.05) above the post-RA time. Post-RA exhaustion time in the 5-months group was 25 and 45 min (35 +/- 10 min). Muscle samples taken after RA showed abnormalities indicative of degeneration, which were reversed by retraining. Resting MD decreased (p < 0.05) from a control level of 27.8% to 14.7% (2 months) and 16.3% (5 months), and was restored to 27.1% (NS) after retraining. Exhaustive exercise caused an increase in MD under control conditions and after RA, but not following retraining. Disruption of mitochondria after exercise was evident after 5-months confinement. Factors causing mitochondrial changes and eventually their disruption during exercise after restricted activity are not related as much to the state of fatigue as to the pre-exercise quality of the muscle modified by disease or training.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Metabolic, body temperature and hormonal responses to repeated periods of prolonged cycle-ergometer exercise in men.

This study was designed to find out whether rest intervals and prevention of dehydration during prolonged exercise inhibit a drift in metabolic rate, body temperature and hormonal response typically occurring during continuous work. For this purpose in ten healthy men the heart rate (fc), rectal temperature (Tre), oxygen uptake (VO2), as well as blood metabolite and some hormone concentrations were measured during 2-h exercise at approximately 50% maximal oxygen uptake split into four equal parts by 30-min rest intervals during which body water losses were replaced. During each 30-min exercise period there was a rapid change in Tre and fc superimposed on which, these values increased progressively in consecutive exercise periods (slow drift). The VO2 showed similar changes but there were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio, pulmonary ventilation, mechanical efficiency and plasma osmolality between successive periods of exercise. Blood glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations decreased in consecutive exercise periods, whereas plasma free fatty acid, glycerol, catecholamine, growth hormone and glucagon concentrations increased. Blood lactate concentrations did not show any regular drift and the plasma cortisol concentration decreased during the first two exercise periods and then increased. In conclusion, in spite of the relatively long rest intervals between the periods of prolonged exercise and the prevention of dehydration several physiological and hormonal variables showed a distinct drift with time. It is suggested that the slow drift in metabolic rate could have been attributable in the main to the increased concentrations of heat liberating hormones.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Relationship between plasma ammonia and blood lactate concentrations after maximal treadmill exercise in circumpubertal girls and boys.

The purpose of the study was to define a relationship between plasma ammonia [NH3]pl and blood lactate concentrations [la-]b after exercise in children and to find out whether the [NH3]pl, determined during laboratory treadmill tests, may be useful as a predictor of the children's sprint running ability. A group of 20 girls and 14 boys trained in athletics or swimming and 8 untrained boys, aged 13.2 to 13.7 years, participated in the study. Their [NH3]pl and [la-]b were measured before and after incremental maximal treadmill exercise. In addition, the subjects' running performance was tested in 30-, 60- and 600- or 1000-m runs under field conditions. The [NH3]pl during the treadmill runs increased by 20.1 (SD 17.3), 24 (SD 16.7) and 10 (SD 4.3) mumol.l-1 in the girls, the trained boys and the untrained boys, respectively. The postexercise [NH3]pl correlated positively with [la-]b (r = 0.565 in the girls and 0.812 in the boys) and treadmill speed attained during the test (r = 0.489 in the girls and 0.490 in the boys). Significant correlations were also found between [NH3]pl obtained during the treadmill test and the times of 30- and 60-m runs (r = -0.676 and -0.648, respectively) in the boys but not in the girls. A comparison of the present data with those reported previously in adults showed that increases in [NH3]pl during maximal exercise in children would seem to be lower than in adult subjects both in absolute values and in relation to [la-]b.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Exercise performance, core temperature, and metabolism after prolonged restricted activity and retraining in dogs.

To study physiological effects of restricted activity (RA) and subsequent retraining, 10 male mongrel dogs (1-5 years) performed a submaximal exercise endurance test on a treadmill (12 degrees slope, 1.6 m.s-1) during kennel control, after 8 weeks of cage (40 cm-w x 80 cm-h x 110 cm-l) confinement, and after 8 weeks of retraining using the same treadmill protocol 1 h/d for 6 d/week. Compared with control endurance (172 +/- 19 min), endurance decreased to 102 +/- 15 min (delta = -41%, p less than 0.05) after RA and increased to 223 +/- 24 min (delta = +30%, p less than 0.05) after training: the respective final levels and changes in rectal temperature were 41.25 and +2.15 degrees C, 41.60 and +2.70 degrees C (NS), and 41.35 and +2.40 degrees C (NS), respectively. Resting and post-exercise blood glucose and lactate concentrations were unchanged in the three experiments. After RA, resting muscle glycogen was reduced from a control level of 49.9 +/- 4.3 to 34.1 +/- 4.5 mmol.kg-1 (delta = 32%, p less than 0.05) which returned to the control level of 58.4 +/- 3.5 mmol.kg-1 after retraining. Resting plasma FFA levels were unchanged, but the RA post-exercise change was decreased from a control level of +0.400 +/- 0.099 to +0.226 +/- 0.039 mmol.L-1 (p less than 0.05). Neither restricted activity nor training affected glucose tolerance significantly. The results indicated that RA reduces exercise endurance, the effectiveness of exercise thermoregulation, muscle glycogen stores, and the lipolytic response to exercise and to noradrenaline stimulation. All these changes were reversed following 8 weeks of retraining.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Endurance training slows down the kinetics of heart rate increase in the transition from moderate to heavier submaximal exercise intensities.

To find out whether endurance training influences the kinetics of the increases in heart rate (fc) during exercise driven by the sympathetic nervous system, the changes in the rate of fc adjustment to step increments in exercise intensities from 100 to 150 W were followed in seven healthy, previously sedentary men, subjected to 10-week training. The training programme consisted of 30-min cycle exercise at 50%-70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) three times a week. Every week during the first 5 weeks of training, and then after the 10th week the subjects underwent the submaximal three-stage exercise test (50, 100 and 150 W) with continuous fc recording. At the completion of the training programme, the subjects' VO2max had increased significantly (39.2 ml.min-1.kg-1, SD 4.7 vs 46 ml.min-1.kg-1, SD 5.6) and the steady-state fc at rest and at all submaximal intensities were significantly reduced. The greatest decrease in steady-state fc was found at 150 W (146 beats.min-1, SD 10 vs 169 beats.min-1, SD 9) but the difference between the steady-state fc at 150 W and that at 100 W (delta fc) did not decrease significantly (26 beats.min-1, SD 7 vs 32 beats.min-1, SD 6). The time constant (tau) of the fc increase from the steady-state at 100 W to steady-state at 150 W increased during training from 99.4 s, SD 6.6 to 123.7 s, SD 22.7 (P less than 0.01) and the acceleration index (A = 0.63.delta fc.tau-1) decreased from 0.20 beats.min-1.s-1, SD 0.05 to 0.14 beats.min-1.s-1, SD 0.04 (P less than 0.02). The major part of the changes in tau and A occurred during the first 4 weeks of training. It was concluded that heart acceleration following incremental exercise intensities slowed down in the early phase of endurance training, most probably due to diminished sympathetic activation.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Effect of endurance and sprint exercise on the sensitivity of glucose metabolism to insulin in the epitrochlearis muscle of sedentary and trained rats.

The effects of two types of acute exercise (1 h treadmill running at 20 m.min-1, or 6 x 10-s periods at 43 m.min-1, 0 degree inclination), as well as two training regimes (endurance and sprint) on the sensitivity of epitrochlearis muscle [fast twitch (FT) fibres] to insulin were measured in vitro in rats. The hormone concentration in the incubation medium producing the half maximal stimulation of lactate (la) production and glycogen synthesis was determined and used as an index of the muscle insulin sensitivity. A single period of moderate endurance as well as the sprint-type exercise increased the sensitivity of la production to insulin although the rate of la production enhanced markedly only after sprint exercise at 10 and 100 microU.ml-1 of insulin. These effects persisted for up to 2 h after the termination of exercise. Both types of exercise significantly decreased the muscle glycogen content, causing a moderate enhancement in the insulin-stimulated rates of glycogen synthesis in vitro for up to 2 h after exercise. However, a significant increase in the sensitivity of this process to insulin was found only in the muscle removed 0.25 h after the sprint effort. Training of the sprint and endurance types increased insulin-stimulated rates of glycolysis 24 h after the last period of exercise. The sensitivity of this process to insulin was also increased at this instant. Both types of training increased the basal and maximal rates of glycogen synthesis, as well as the sensitivity of this process to insulin at the 24th h following the last training session.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Effect of static exercise and muscle ischemia on cardiac function as evaluated by the systolic time intervals.

To determine the role of muscle chemoreflex in the cardiac response to static exercise the effect of the forearm muscle ischemia on systolic time intervals (STI), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) recovery following static handgrip was studied in 7 healthy men. During handgrip maintained for 4 min at 30% maximal voluntary contraction HR and BP increased significantly while duration of the pre-ejection period (PEP) and isovolumic contraction time (ICT) were shortened with a significant lowering in the ratio of PEP to the left ventricle ejection time (LVET). Occlusion of the circulation to the forearm muscles for 2 min after cessation of exercise did not prevent a rapid decline of HR or increment in PEP, ICT and PEP-to-LVET ratio while BP remained elevated for as long as blood flow to muscles was restricted. The study failed to demonstrate an appreciable effect of muscle chemoreflex on HR or myocardial contractility, suggesting that input from muscle afferents activated by metabolic stimuli induces the pressor response mainly by the peripheral vasoconstriction.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Sensitivity of the soleus muscle to insulin in resting and exercising rats with experimental hypo- and hyper-thyroidism.

1. The effects of hypothyroidism (caused by surgical thyroidectomy followed by treatment for 1 month with propylthiouracil) and of hyperthyroidism [induced by subcutaneous administration of L-tri-iodothyronine (T3)] on glucose tolerance and skeletal-muscle sensitivity to insulin were examined in rats. Glucose tolerance was estimated during 2 h after subcutaneous glucose injection (1 g/kg body wt.). The sensitivity of the soleus muscle to insulin was studied in vitro in sedentary and acutely exercised animals. 2. Glucose tolerance was impaired in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats in comparison with euthyroid controls. 3. In the soleus muscle, responsiveness of the rate of lactate formation to insulin was abolished in hypothyroid rats, whereas the sensitivity of the rate of glycogen synthesis to insulin was unchanged. In hyperthyroid animals, opposite changes were found, i.e. responsiveness of the rate of glycogen synthesis was inhibited and the sensitivity of the rate of lactate production did not differ from that in control sedentary rats. 4. A single bout of exercise for 30 min potentiated the stimulatory effect of insulin on lactate formation in hyperthyroid rats and on glycogen synthesis in hypothyroid animals. 5. The data suggest that thyroid hormones exert an interactive effect with insulin in skeletal muscle. This is likely to be at the post-receptor level, inhibiting the effect of insulin on glycogen synthesis and stimulating oxidative glucose utilization.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Dynamics of metabolic responses to prolonged elevation of circulating adrenaline in resting and exercising rats.

The purpose of this study was to follow the time course of metabolic responses to hyperadrenalinemia sustained up to 3 days. Hyperadrenalinemia was produced in rats by s.c. implantation of tablets releasing adrenaline (A) at a constant rate (1.6 micrograms x min-1). After 6, 12, 24 and 72 h of hyperadrenalinemia and 3 days after the tablet removal rats were sacrificed and liver, 3 types of muscles and blood samples were taken. Each time 14 rats were used: 7 of them were sedentary and 7 performed treadmill endurance exercise before decapitation. Sham operated animals served as controls. In preliminary experiments working ability was examined in 10 hyperadrenalinemic and 10 control rats. Duration of exercise until exhaustion was reduced in hyperadrenalinemic rats on the average by 40%. In sedentary rats, hyperglycemia, marked depletion of liver glycogen (by approx. 80%) and muscle glycogen (by 60-80%) as well as an elevation (2-4 times) of muscle lactate (LA) were found only during the first day after A-tablet implantation. At the end of the experiment these values approached the control ones. Muscle contents of ATP and creatine phosphate (CrP) were decreased by approx. 20% and 30-60%, respectively. Plasma FFA were markedly enhanced, varying in the time-course of the experiment from 0.8 to 1.4 mmol x l-1. Post-exercise values for blood glucose, liver and muscle glycogen were always lower in hyperadrenalinemic rats than in controls sacrificed after time-matched exercise (30 min). Circulating FFA decreased during exercise at all time points following A-tablet implantation, but they were still above the post-exercise levels in sham-operated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Plasma vasopressin, growth hormone and ACTH responses to static handgrip in healthy subjects.

Ten healthy male subjects took part in the study. They performed three consecutive bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), using two hands alternately and without rest intervals. Blood pressure was measured every 30 s and ECG was recorded continuously. Blood samples for arginine vasopressin (AVP), growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol determinations were taken at rest, after each exercise bout, as well as at 10 and 30 min after the last one. During the whole period of exercise (9 min) blood pressure and heart rate were elevated. The effort caused a significant increase in the plasma AVP concentration. In the majority of subjects the peak values occurred after the first or second exercise bout and were followed by a rapid decline of the hormone concentration. Changes in GH, ACTH and cortisol concentrations were insignificant; however, in seven of the ten subjects, considerably elevated plasma GH levels were found at the end of the third exercise bout and/or 10 min after its cessation.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1989

Cardiovascular and sympatho-adrenal responses to static handgrip performed with one and two hands.

12 healthy men aged 21-25 years performed, in the sitting position, a sustained handgrip at 25% of their maximum voluntary contraction, first with each hand separately and then with both hands simultaneously. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), stroke volume (determined reographically) and plasma catecholamine concentration were measured during each handgrip test. The HR and SBP increased consistently during each handgrip test while stroke volume decreased by approximately 20% of the initial value. Cardiac output did not change significantly. There were no significant differences in the magnitude and dynamics of the cardiovascular responses between the tests with one and with both hands. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels showed similar elevations in response to handgrip performed with the right hand and with both hands, while during the exercise performed with the left hand the increase in the plasma catecholamine concentration was less pronounced. It was concluded that: (1) during sustained handgrip, performed in the sitting position by young healthy subjects, the stroke volume markedly decreases and cardiac output does not change significantly in spite of the increased HR; (2) the cardiovascular and sympatho-adrenal responses to static handgrip do not depend on the mass of contracting muscle when the same relative tension is developed.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Dynamics of changes in the cardiovascular response to submaximal exercise during low-intensity endurance training with particular reference to the systolic time intervals.

Eighteen male volunteers (aged 20-23 years), not involved in any sporting activities, were submitted to 13 weeks of training consisting of 30 min exercise [at 50%-75% maximal oxygen intake (VO2max)] on a cycle ergometer, performed 3 times a week. Every 4 weeks cardiac function was evaluated by measuring the systolic time intervals at rest and during submaximal cycle exercise. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses to submaximal exercise, VO2max and anaerobic threshold (AT) were also determined. Significant increases in VO2max, increases in AT and SV at the submaximal exercise intensities, as well as decreases in HR and BP were found after 4 weeks of training. Resting systolic time intervals were not affected by training, but during the submaximal cycle exercise the values of the pre-ejection period (PEP) and isovolumic contraction time (ICT) corresponding to HR of 100 beats.min-1 were significantly lowered after 13 weeks of training, whereas PEP, ICT and total electromechanical systole corresponding to HR of 130 beats.min-1 were significantly shortened by the 4th week. The ratios of PEP:LVET (left ventricular ejection time) and ICT:LVET during submaximal exercise were significantly lowered by training starting from the 8th week. These changes might be interpreted as evidence of the training-induced enhancement of the "contractility reserve", i.e. the ability to increase heart muscle contractility with increasing exercise intensity.

Adult↗