Abstract
Pulmonary oxygen uptake (V˙O2p) at exercise onset is severely delayed in heart transplant recipients (HTRs). The role of exercise training to improve V˙O2p kinetics in HTRs has not been studied. We examined V˙O2p kinetics before and after 12 weeks of aerobic and strength training (HTR-T; n = 19, mean ± SD age: 57 ± 10 years) or usual care (HTR-UC; n = 16, mean age: 58 ± 12 years). Phase II V˙O2p kinetics, reflecting the rate of muscle metabolic adaptation, improved 37% after training compared with usual care (HTR-UC, 15 ± 19 vs 2 ± 13 seconds improvement, p = 0.02). The change in rest to steady-state heart rate reserve before and after 12 weeks was not different in HTR-T (-2 ± 9 beats/min) and HTR-UC (-1 ± 7 beats/min; p = 0.78). No significant relation was found between the change in V˙O2p kinetics and rest to steady-state heart rate reserve. Changes in leg lean tissue mass and V˙O2p kinetics were significantly related (r = -0.46, p = 0.008). In conclusion, a favorable adaptation in skeletal muscle oxidative function may underpin our finding of faster V˙O2p kinetics in HTRs after exercise training.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
