Endurance training significantly increased left ventricular mass in healthy adults (SMD 0.444; 95% CI 0.361-0.527; P<0.001), with the greatest changes seen in males, young, and trained individuals.
Meta-Analysis (n=1,908)
Does endurance training increase left ventricular chamber size, wall thickness, and mass in healthy adults?
Endurance training for at least 2 weeks significantly increases left ventricular mass, wall thickness, and chamber diameter in healthy adults, with the greatest changes seen in young, previously trained males undergoing mixed training.
Effect estimate: SMD 0.444 (95% CI 0.361, 0.527)
p-value: p=< 0.001
AIMS: To determine the impact of endurance training (ET) interventions on left ventricular (LV) chamber size, wall thickness, and mass in healthy adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electronic databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane library, and EBM Reviews were searched up to 4 January 2022. Criteria for inclusion were healthy females and/or males (>18 years), ET intervention for ≥2 weeks, and studies reporting pre- and post-training LV structural parameters. A random-effects meta-analysis with heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was used to determine the effects of ET on LV mass (LVM) and diastolic measures of interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), posterior wall thickness (PWTd), and LV diameter (LVDd). Meta-regression was performed on mediating factors (age, sex, training protocols) to assess their effects on LV structure. Eighty-two studies met inclusion criteria (n = 1908; 19-82 years, 33% female). There was a significant increase in LVM, PWTd, IVSd, and LVDd following ET [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.444, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.361, 0.527; P 55 years). A significant increase in wall thickness was observed in males, with a similar augmentation of LVDd in males and females. Trained individuals elicited an increase in all LV structures and ET involving mixed-type training and rowing and swimming modalities conferred the greatest increase in PWTd and LVDd. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular structure is significantly increased following ET. Males, young and trained individuals, and ET interventions involving mixed training regimes elicit the greatest changes in LV structure.
Morrison et al. (Tue,) conducted a meta-analysis in Healthy adults (n=1,908). Endurance training (ET) vs. Pre-training (baseline) was evaluated on Left ventricular mass (LVM) (SMD 0.444, 95% CI 0.361, 0.527, p=< 0.001). Endurance training significantly increased left ventricular mass in healthy adults (SMD 0.444; 95% CI 0.361-0.527; P<0.001), with the greatest changes seen in males, young, and trained individuals.