Abstract
BackgroundControversy exists on the actual occurrence of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF) with ultraendurance exercise, as well as on whether factors such as age or training status might predispose to this condition. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of EICF among recreational ultramarathon runners, as well as to determine potential predictive factors.MethodsNineteen male recreational runners (42 ± 12yrs) participated in a 55-km trial race at moderate altitude (1,800–2,500 m). Participants were evaluated before and after the race using Doppler echocardiography and myocardial deformation analysis. EICF was determined as a reduction >5% of either left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) or right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS). Demographical (age, body mass index), training (training experience, volume and intensity), competition (finishing time, relative intensity) and biochemical variables (blood lactate, creatine kinase [CK] and CK-MB) were assessed as predictors of EICF.ResultsA significant reduction in LVGLS (20.1 ± 2.1% at baseline vs. 18.8 ± 2.4% at post-race, p = 0.026), but not in RVFWS (27.4 ± 7.0 vs. 24.6 ± 5.3%, p = 0.187), was observed after the race. EICF was present in 47 and 71% of the participants attending to the decrease in LVGLS and RVFWS, respectively. No associations were found between any of the analyzed variables and EICF except for age, which was associated with the magnitude of decrement of RVFWS (r = 0.58, p = 0.030).ConclusionsUltramarathon running at moderate altitude seems to induce EICF in a considerable proportion of recreational athletes.
Highlights
Some controversy exists [1], strenuous endurance exercise might produce skeletal and cardiac muscle fatigue, a condition known as “exercise-induced cardiac fatigue” (EICF) that is reflected by a transient decline in left (LV) or right ventricular (RV) function after exertion in otherwise healthy people [2,3,4]
Controversy exists on the actual occurrence of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF) with ultraendurance exercise, as well as on whether factors such as age or training status might predispose to this condition
EICF was present in 47 and 71% of the participants attending to the decrease in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS), respectively
Summary
Some controversy exists [1], strenuous endurance exercise might produce skeletal and cardiac muscle fatigue, a condition known as “exercise-induced cardiac fatigue” (EICF) that is reflected by a transient decline in left (LV) or right ventricular (RV) function after exertion in otherwise healthy people [2,3,4]. Controversy exists [11], recent evidence suggests that ultraendurance running at high altitudes can increase the risk of exercise-induced electrocardiographic alterations suggestive of EICF (i.e., longer QT duration and premature ventricular beats) [12]. This is of relevance given the growing popularity of these events, which engage well-trained athletes and recreational participants and are sometimes held in difficult environmental conditions [13]. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of EICF among recreational ultramarathon runners, as well as to determine potential predictive factors
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