Cardiac Issues and prolonged exercise

[bloomp]

I stumbled upon this gem of an article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100314/hl ... ryproblems

on the Yahoo! homepage. Any thoughts on the relevance to rowing? When I found the summary of the study through UConn's database, I was surprised by the age of the runners - none being younger than 29. Anyhow, the fact that exercise elevates blood pressure has long been known, wouldn't it be a reasonable conclusion that training for such sustained exercise would result in a fixed increase in BP?

Regardless, that's not an unhealthy BP to have. And while I'm not versed in the dangers of aortic stiffness, I would assume that's the 'threat' the study seeks to unveil.

D. Kardaraa, C. Vlachopoulosa, A. Anastasakisa, K. Baoua, D. Terentes-Printziosa, I. Dimaa, G. Antonioua, A. Gravosa and C. Stefanadisa

aHippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece

P7.03. Available online 3 December 2009.

Purpose: It is well known that regular moderate aerobic exercise has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk, although the impact of long-term intense aerobic training has not been defined. Aortic stiffness and wave reflections are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. In this study we assessed the chronic effect of intense endurance training on the elastic properties of the large arteries.

Methods: The study population consisted of 49 healthy (mean age: 37 ± 5yrs), regularly trained (5.8 ± 3.6 hours/week for 11.6 ± 9.1 years) marathon runners (mean age: 38 ± 9yrs) and 46 controls matched for classical risk factors. Aortic stiffness was evaluated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and wave reflections with augmentation index (AIx) of the aortic pressure waveform.

Results: Marathon runners had significantly higher systolic pressure (aortic and brachial) (113 ± 15 vs. 102 ± 11, P < 0.01 and 126 ± 15 vs. 115 ± 12, P < 0.01, respectively) compared to controls. Aortic and brachial diastolic pressure- (79 ± 10 vs.72 ± 9, P < 0.01 and 78 ± 10 vs.71 ± 9, P < 0.01, respectively) and mean pressure (94 ± 12 vs. 86 ± 10, P = 0.01) were also increased compared to controls. PWV was increased in athletes compared to controls (6.9 ± 1 vs. 6.3 ± 1, P < 0.01), indicating increased aortic stiffness. AIx corrected for heart rate (8.2 ± 12.2 vs. 10.3 ± 9.5, P = NS) did not differ among the two groups. Years of exercise were associated with aortic pulse pressure (r = 0.304, P = 0.045) and AIx (r = 0.388, P = 0.009) in athletes.

Conclusions: Marathon runners have increased aortic stiffness, as welll as central and peripheral haemodynamic parameters. These findings could contribute to precisely assess cardiovascular risk in marathon runners focusing on the proper training volumes, frequency and duration.

[Citroen]

I stumbled upon this gem of an article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100314/hl ... ryproblems

Don't you love it when journalists with no scientific or medical background attempt to draw (sometimes false) conclusions from a quick scan reading of some peer reviewed scientific/medical article so that they can produce something to keep their editor happy and/or sell more editions of their rag.

Some of the comments on that article are gems.

[bloomp]

That was a sarcastic use of 'gem'. But yes, I don't think the study has it quite right - and I've seen a few studies posted on their main page over the last ten years that contradict each other...

[jliddil]

Where did you find this abstract?

Searches of Pumbed, Scopus and Google Scholar don't find more than a handful of articles of anybody even close to this name.

Can't find anything on the ACC web page or conference web site. No press release. Maybe bogus.

JD

[bloomp]

I searched google scholar with the last name of the primary researcher on the study. Put in "Marathon runners kardara" and the first work is it. Not sure why it's not turning up a link to view the journal - it offered me an option to "use UConn login" last night. The date of the publication is 2009, in "Elsevier".

Maybe it was released prematurely and it'll be available again after her talk today?

[jliddil]

Artery Research
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2009, Pages 183-184
Artery 9, Artery 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
doi:10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.096 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Marathon Runners Have Increased Aortic Stiffness

This article is not included in your organization's subscription. However, you may be able to access this article under your organization's agreement with Elsevier.

D. Kardaraa, C. Vlachopoulosa, A. Anastasakisa, K. Baoua, D. Terentes-Printziosa, I. Dimaa, G. Antonioua, A. Gravosa and C. Stefanadisa

aHippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece

Whole 2 page publication

Author has a second abstract

EFFECT OF ACUTE INTENSE EXERCISE ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS.

Background: Aortic stiffness and wave reflections are determinants of left ventricular performance and independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Though it is well recognized that regular aerobic exercise can affect arterial stiffness and wave reflections, the acute effect of intense aerobic exercise has not been defined. In this study we examined the acute effect of marathon race on the arterial elastic properties in highly trained athletes.

Methods: We studied 20 healthy, regularly trained (5±2.5 hours/week for 12.4±7.4 years) marathon runners (mean age: 36±10yrs, 16M/4F) before and after the race. Aortic stiffness was evaluated with pulse wave velocity (PWV) with a validated noninvasive device and wave reflections with augmentation index (AIx) of the aortic pressure waveform using a validated, commercially available system.

Results: Marathon race led to a significant fall in AIx corrected for the heart rate (6.96±13.3 vs. 0.04±10.9, P=0.01) indicating reduced heart afterload. Mean pressure (94±14 vs. 85±9, P<0.05), systolic brachial (127±16 vs. 122±11, P<0.05), systolic aortic pressure (113±16 vs. 102±10, P=0.01), as well as diastolic brachial (78±12 vs. 70±8, P<0.01), diastolic aortic pressures (79±12 vs. 73±8, P<0.05), were also decreased, whereas heart rate was significantly increased (62±9 vs. 90±9, P<0.01). PWV did not differ before and after marathon race (6.65±0.9vs.6.74±1.2,P=NS).

Conclusions: Marathon race results in an acute decrease of wave reflections. This indicates reduced afterload that facilitates left ventricular performance. Since there is no effect on PWV, it is caused most likely by peripheral vasodilation. These findings elucidate the interrelations between biophysical properties of the arteries and exercise capacity.

Rehash of same stuff. This is a researcher new to the field I guess based on lack of publications in major journals.

Running 5 hours a week is not any marathon training schedule I ever followed when I was a serious runner. And now "highly traineed" athlete only trains 5 hours a week.

Paul you only train a few hours a week right.

[bloomp]

Yep, only 15 hours a week, no big deal...

Clearly she's not well versed in exercise physiology, that would be a joke of a marathon training plan. Most elite marathoners do 2 practices at least 3-4 days per week. That alone would amount to 6 hours of training, plus the individual practices.

[jliddil]

"Only" 15 hours. For someone in college and young maybe. Now try doing that kind of training working 40+ hours a week, owning a house,wife, outside activities etc. Maybe ranger has time for such but I certainly don't.

[bloomp]

"Only" 15 hours. For someone in college and young maybe. Now try doing that kind of training working 40+ hours a week, owning a house,wife, outside activities etc. Maybe ranger has time for such but I certainly don't.

I am a building manager at our student union, am an executive member of two organizations, and have class.

[johnlvs2run]

Conclusions: These findings could contribute to precisely assess cardiovascular risk in marathon runners focusing on the proper training volumes, frequency and duration.

This indicates reduced afterload that facilitates left ventricular performance.

That looks like a benefit to me.
An issue with hardening of arteries in marathoners is the consumption of caffeine.
To be in good health, it helps to ignore all medical research studies and medical interventions.

The best thing people can do is to get off their butts, exercise and be healthy.

[NavigationHazard]

To ignore all medical advice and research is silly beyond belief.

Fortunately, there's a solution to cardiovascular health: dark chocolate.

Vlachopoulos et al., Effect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individuals. Am J Hypertens. 2005 Jun;18(6):785-91.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest that high flavonoid intake confers a benefit on cardiovascular outcome. Endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and wave reflections are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: The effect of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate (100 g) on endothelial function, aortic stiffness, wave reflections, and oxidant status were studied for 3 h in 17 young healthy volunteers according to a randomized, single-blind, sham procedure-controlled, cross-over protocol. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, aortic augmentation index (AIx), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) were used as measures of endothelial function, wave reflections, and aortic stiffness, respectively. Plasma oxidant status was evaluated with measurement of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). RESULTS: Chocolate led to a significant increase in resting and hyperemic brachial artery diameter throughout the study (maximum increase by 0.15 mm and 0.18 mm, respectively, P < .001 for both). The FMD increased significantly at 60 min (absolute increase 1.43%, P < .05). The AIx was significantly decreased with chocolate throughout the study (maximum absolute decrease 7.8%, P < .001), indicating a decrease in wave reflections, whereas PWV did not change to a significant extent. Plasma MDA and TAC did not change after chocolate, indicating no alterations in plasma oxidant status. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows for the first time that consumption of dark chocolate acutely decreases wave reflections, that it does not affect aortic stiffness, and that it may exert a beneficial effect on endothelial function in healthy adults. Chocolate consumption may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system; further studies are warranted to assess any long-term effects.

[snowleopard]

To be in good health, it helps to ignore all medical research studies and medical interventions.

Yeah, never did Lance Armstrong any good

[peterhowd]

To be in good health, it helps to ignore all medical research studies and medical interventions.

Yeah, never did Lance Armstrong any good

Oh, but John may be right, everyone alive would be healthy, at least until they weren't...

[drkcgoh]

This is the era of EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE, and no doubt there are many skeptics who will dig out the odd scientific paper reporting on the ill effects of prolonged exercise. We all know the benefits, and I have written my book on "The Role of Exerxise in anti aging", that documents my own findings that run counter to what the popular thinking runs. It may not go well with many, but this only goes to show that it pays to be fahionable , and talk & write as others do to become popular, even though the results may not show, as those who take popular advice often complain about. I only ask those who read it to be truthful to themselves, and look at the final results.
So what does arterial stiffness mean to the average person. It is an academic issue, and we all know this is inevitable; but does the average exerciser care? Tell this to the 81 year old who insists on lifting heavy weights in training, & he will call you a wimp or smart Aleck who is talking out of turn to an old dog. What does he care about the dangers of arterial aneursym when he gets those few seconds of personal glory or opioid release from that moment of heavy exercise?
Yes, many articles can be reproduced, but should they influence us in our pursuit of a HEALTHY LIFESTyLE?
Dr. K.C.Goh

[Den-J]

It would be interesting to see this study repeated using cyclists or rowers running is a high impact exercise possibly the shock hitting the heart every step could be the cause of this and not the exercise itself