Impairment of left ventricular function during maximal isometric dead lifting

Abstract

High-intensity short-duration lifting is frequently performed by athletes and laborers. Little is known about the magnitude and pattern of blood pressure response and resultant effects on left ventricular (LV) function during this form of intense isometric exercise. We monitored brachial intra-arterial pressure and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) during upright isometric dead lifting performed on a force platform. Fourteen healthy male subjects (age 27 yr) maintained maximal sustained isometric dead lift (140 +/- 34 kg) for 32 s. LVEF was measured by 99mTc first-pass radionuclide ventriculography. Mean arterial pressure increased from 107 +/- 15 mmHg at rest to a peak of 174 +/- 28 mmHg and fell precipitously to 88 +/- 13 mmHg within 10 s after release of the dead lift. LVEF decreased from 63 +/- 8 to 51 +/- 14% (P less than 0.02) in seven subjects with technically acceptable ventriculograms. We conclude that maximal upright isometric dead-lift exercise produces a marked increase in arterial pressure and corresponding LV afterload that is associated with a transient reduction in LVEF in normal men.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Analysis of Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Functions of Young Elite Athletes with Eccentric and Concentric Type of Cardiac Remodeling

“…The secondary effects are increased cardiac pressure and heart rate. In static exercise programs (concentric hypertrophy), on the other hand, the primary effect involves increased blood pressure . McDougall et al .…”

The Athlete’s Heart

“…[75][76][77][78] During heavy-resistance exercise, arterial blood pressure shows a large increase, amounting to values to 480/350 mm Hg. 75 However, heart rate and cardiac output do not remain unchanged but show an increase during strength training.…”

“…Systolic and mean arterial blood pressures also are increased during cycling; Systolic blood pressure readings of Ͼ200 mm Hg can be found during maximal exercise testing on the bicycle ergometer. 78,79 During rowing, heart rate increases to near-maximal values of Ϸ190 bpm, with peak systolic blood pressure waves of Ϸ200 mm Hg. 80 The combination of both extreme volume load and extreme pressure load may explain why the largest increases in left ventricular internal dimension and left ventricular wall thickness are found in cyclists and rowers.…”

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Effects of Different Training Regimens on Left Ventricle Structure and Function in Female Athletes

“…In athletes of endurance-training regimen, only end diastolic diameters and posterior wall thickness had been significantly changed during strength-training. Exposing heart tostrength training with a slight strength in left ventricular internal diameter and a large increase in left ventricular wall thickness can be explained on the basis of blood pressure response and cardiac output during weight lifting (18)(19)(20)(21). During the heavy-resistance exercise, arterial blood pressure shows a large increase, (near to 350-480 mm Hg (19).…”

“…Top-level cyclists can perform with a near-maximal heart rate for long periods of time, sometimes up to six hours. Systolic and mean arterial blood pressures also increases during cycling; Systolic blood pressure might increase to 200 mm Hg during maximal exercise testing on the bicycle ergometer (21,22). During rowing, heart rate increases to near-maximal values of '190 bpm, with peak systolic blood pressure waves of '200 mm Hg (23).…”