Key result
A 6-hour cycling bout is linked to post-exercise RV dilation and reduced global strain.
Why the study?
Elevated pulmonary artery pressure and RV afterload during exercise have been implicated in post-exercise RV dysfunction and dilatation, but this has not yet been directly demonstrated during exercise.
Does a 6-hour cycling exercise bout alter right ventricular structure, function, and pulmonary artery pressure in ultra-endurance athletes?
Observational (n=8)
No
Does a 6-hour cycling exercise bout alter right ventricular structure, function, and pulmonary artery pressure in ultra-endurance athletes?
Absolute Event Rate: -21.2% vs -23.8%
p-value: p=0.0168
Prolonged endurance cycling causes post-exercise right ventricular dilation and reduced function without significantly elevating pulmonary artery pressures during the exercise itself.
Post-exercise RV dilation and strain reduction may occur after prolonged cycling; leaves open long-term effects in athletes.
BACKGROUND: A reduction in right ventricular (RV) function during recovery from prolonged endurance exercise has been documented alongside RV dilatation. A relative elevation in pulmonary artery pressure and therefore RV afterload during exercise has been implicated in this post-exercise dysfunction but has not yet been demonstrated. The current study aimed to assess RV structure and function and pulmonary artery pressure before, during and after a 6-h cycling exercise bout. METHODS: Eight ultra-endurance athletes were recruited for this study. Participants were assessed prior to exercise supine and seated, during exercise at 2, 4 and 6 h whilst cycling seated at 75% maximum heart rate, and post-exercise in the supine position. Standard 2D, Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography were used to determine indices of RV size, systolic and diastolic function. RESULTS: Heart rate and RV functional parameters increased from baseline during exercise, however RV structural parameters and indices of RV systolic and diastolic function were unchanged between in-exercise assessment points. Neither pulmonary artery pressures (26 ± 9 mmHg vs 17 ± 10 mmHg, P > 0.05) nor RV wall stress (7.1 ± 3.0 vs 6.2 ± 2.4, P > 0.05) were significantly elevated during exercise. Despite this, post-exercise measurements revealed RV dilation (increased RVD1 and 3), and reduced RV global strain (- 21.2 ± 3.5 vs - 23.8 ± 2.3, P = 0.0168) and diastolic tissue velocity (13.8 ± 2.5 vs 17.1 ± 3.4, P = 0.019) vs pre-exercise values. CONCLUSION: A 6 h cycling exercise bout at 75% maximum heart rate did not alter RV structure, systolic or diastolic function assessments during exercise. Pulmonary artery pressures are not elevated beyond normal limits and therefore RV afterload is unchanged throughout exercise. Despite this, there is some evidence of RV dilation and altered function in post-exercise measurements.
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Lord et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Healthy ultra-endurance athletes (n=8). 6-hour cycling exercise bout at 75% maximum heart rate vs. Pre-exercise baseline was evaluated on Right ventricular global strain (p=0.0168). A 6-hour cycling exercise bout at 75% maximum heart rate did not alter right ventricular structure or function during exercise, but post-exercise measurements revealed right ventricular dilation and reduced global strain (-21.2% vs -23.8%, P=0.0168).
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