Key result
Maximum exercise leaves GLS unchanged in athletes while GWI changes correlate with relative VO2max.
Why the study?
The study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of maximum physical exercise by different testing methods on early post-exercise left ventricular deformation parameters in competitive athletes and analyze their correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.
Does maximum physical exercise affect left ventricular deformation parameters (GLS and GWI) and correlate with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in competitive athletes?
Observational (n=32)
No
Does maximum physical exercise affect left ventricular deformation parameters (GLS and GWI) and correlate with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in competitive athletes?
The change in global myocardial work index (ΔGWI) immediately after maximum exercise correlates with relative VO2max, suggesting it could serve as an echocardiographic marker for an athlete's individual training status.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
No immediate change to athlete evaluation; leaves open ΔGWI as training-status marker for prospective validation.
Background Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global myocardial work index (GWI) allow early detection of subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aim of the study was to investigate the immediate effects of maximum physical exercise by different exercise testing methods on early post exercise LV deformation parameters in competitive athletes and to analyze their correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. Methods To reach maximum physical exercise, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed by semi-recumbent ergometer in competitive handball players (n = 13) and by treadmill testing in competitive football players (n = 19). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) indexed to body weight (relative VO 2max ) was measured in all athletes. Transthoracic echocardiography and blood pressure measurements were performed at rest and 5 min after CPET in all athletes. GLS, GWI and their changes before and after CPET (ΔGLS, ΔGWI) were correlated with (relative) VO 2max . Results In handball and football players, GLS and GWI did not differ significantly before and after CPET. There were no significant correlations between GLS and relative VO 2max , but moderate correlations were found between ΔGWI and relative VO 2max in handball (r = 0.631; P = 0.021) and football players (r = 0.592; P = 0.008). Furthermore, handball (46.7 ml/min*kg ± 4.7 ml/min*kg vs. 37.4 ml/min*kg ± 4.2; P = 0.004) and football players (58.3 ml/min*kg ± 3.7 ml/min*kg vs. 49.7 ml/min*kg ± 6.8; P = 0.002) with an increased ΔGWI after CPET showed a significant higher relative VO 2max . Conclusion Maximum physical exercise has an immediate effect on LV deformation, irrespective of the used testing method. The correlation of relative VO 2max with ΔGWI in the early post exercise period, identifies ΔGWI as an echocardiographic parameter for characterizing the current individual training status of athletes.
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Kandels et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Healthy competitive athletes (n=32). Maximum physical exercise (Cardiopulmonary exercise testing) vs. Resting conditions was evaluated on Change in global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global myocardial work index (GWI) after maximum physical exercise. In competitive athletes, maximum physical exercise did not significantly alter global longitudinal strain, but the change in global myocardial work index correlated with relative maximum oxygen uptake.
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