Centra hemodynamics in ultra-endurance athletes

Central hemodynamics such as ascending aortic blood pressure (BP), wave reflection and myocardial perfusion are clinically important in the context of cardiovascular health. Ultra-endurance athletes may be at greater risk of cardiovascular abnormalities due to chronically increased physiological stress placed on the cardiovascular system. This study was a cross-sectional investigation that compared central hemodynamics in ultra-endurance athletes and matched controls. Forty-four athletes (36 mates; aged mean +/-S.D., 34 +/- 8 years) undergoing ultra-endurance training (16.3 +/- 3.7 h/week) were compared to 44 matched recreationally active (1.2 +/- 0.9h/week) controls (36 mates; aged 34 +/- 8 years). Brachial. BP was measured using an oscillometric device while central hemodynamics including ascending aortic BP, wave reflection (augmentation index, Alx), ejection duration, sub-endocardial perfusion (SEVR) and timing of the reflected wave (T-R) were determined by applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between groups in Alx (athletes and controls; 6 +/- 12% versus 6 +/- 13%, respectively), T-R (athletes and controls; 165 +/- 22 ms versus 165 +/- 19 ms, respectively), brachial (athletes and controls; 51 +/- 9 mmHg versus 48 +/- 12 mmHg, respectively) or central pulse pressure (33 +/- 5 mmHg versus 31 +/- 7 mmHg). However, athletes had significantly increased SEVR (226 +/- 42% versus 198 +/- 46%; P<0.001) despite having a longer ejection duration (348 +/- 19ms versus 339 +/- 18ms; P<0.05). Furthermore, the amount of exercise training volume was significantly related to central (r=-0.46; P=0.002), but not brachial pulse pressure (r=-0.28; P>0.05). Ultra-endurance athletes had increased sub-endocardial perfusion capacity and the quantity of exercise training was associated with central rather than peripheral hemodynamics. (C) 2007 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.