Effect of a Physical Conditioning Program upon Left Ventricular Ejection Fractions Determined Serially by a Noninvasive Technique

Abstract

6 clinically normal subjects underwent a 3-month physical conditioning program with ejection fractions determined before and after physical conditioning using a scintillation probe. All subjects achieved a conditioning effect as evidenced by increased treadmill test duration after conditioning (mean duration before conditioning: 658 vs. 715 sec after conditioning; p < 0.02). All 6 subjects increased resting ejection fractions after conditioning (mean ejection fraction before conditioning: 54.5 ± 5.4%; mean ejection fraction after conditioning: 67.0 ± 9.0%; p < 0.01). Thus, an aerobic physical conditioning program appears to increase resting ejection fractions in normal subjects.