September 1, 1991Open Access
View Full PaperLeft ventricular pressure-volume and Frank-Starling relations in endurance athletes. Implications for orthostatic tolerance and exercise performance.
Structured PICO
Do endurance athletes have altered left ventricular pressure-volume relations compared to nonathletes?
P
Population
Endurance athletes and nonathletes
C
Comparator
Nonathletes
O
Outcome
Left ventricular pressure-volume and Frank-Starling relations (ventricular diastolic chamber compliance and distensibility)surrogate
The increased ventricular compliance in endurance athletes places them on the steep portion of the Starling curve, potentially providing a mechanical, nonautonomic explanation for orthostatic intolerance.
Abstract
Endurance athletes have greater ventricular diastolic chamber compliance and distensibility than nonathletes and thus operate on the steep portion of their Starling curve. This may be a mechanical, nonautonomic cause of orthostatic intolerance.