ABSTRACT
Nine male endurance runners were evaluated with bicycle exercise testing before a training break of 3 weeks duration, and 0, 2 and 4 weeks after resumption of training to assess the effects of training on resting and exercise plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) measured at 50% and 100% of predetermined maximal workload. Maximal oxygen uptake and lean body mass (LBM) were calculated at each time point. Maximal oxygen uptake decreased during training break, but rose 4 weeks after resumption of training (P less than 0.01). LBM was unchanged after inactivity, but rose after resumption of training (P less than 0.01). Plasma ANF at rest did not change throughout the experiment. ANF levels rose after training break at maximal workload (P less than 0.05), and decreased 4 weeks after resumption of training, but only at submaximal workload (P less than 0.05). No correlations between systolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure or heart rate and ANF could be demonstrated. These results indicate that the haemodynamic changes associated with endurance training are reflected in plasma ANF levels during exercise, but not at rest. The full adaptation of ANF release to training probably requires more time than the 4 weeks reported for the haemodynamic adjustments.
Subject(s)
Atrial Natriuretic Factor/blood , Physical Endurance/physiology , Physical Exertion/physiology , Adult , Blood Pressure/physiology , Heart Rate/physiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Oxygen/metabolism , Periodicity , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Leg amputation levels were decided in 24 patients suffering from atherosclerosis, using the conventional techniques of segmental blood pressure and radioisotope skin clearance. The skin microcirculation was measured and recorded before operation with a laser doppler flowmeter. A high correlation was found between the successful amputation levels and the maximal blood perfusion of the skin measured in this way.
Subject(s)
Amputation, Surgical , Arteriosclerosis/surgery , Microcirculation , Skin/blood supply , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blood Flow Velocity , Humans , Lasers , Leg/surgery , Middle AgedABSTRACT
To determine the effects of prolonged endurance training on the heart, a comparison was made of veteran cyclists aged 41-51 years, former cyclists, and non-athletic subjects, including echocardiography, ECG, systolic and diastolic time intervals, and maximal oxygen uptake. The veterans had significantly larger diastolic diameter, systolic diameter, thickness of septum, posterior wall, and left ventricular mass. The enlargement of the left ventricle was found to be proportionate, as the ratio of diastolic diameter to wall thickness showed no change. In contrast to earlier reports, no indication of reduced cardiac function was found in the veterans, as echocardiographically measured function parameters, systolic, and diastolic time intervals were similar in the three groups. In the former athletes, whose previous training experience was similar to that of the veterans, no significant variation in cardiac structure and function was found in relation to the control group. This indicates that the physiological hypertrophy caused by physical training can be reversible.
