Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Left atrial functional changes following short-term exercise training

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Exercise-induced adaptations of the human atria remain understudied, particularly early in the training process. We examined the effects of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIT) and continuous moderate-intensity training (CMT) on left atrial (LA) systolic and diastolic function, relative to left ventricular (LV) function in young, healthy men, by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods

Fourteen untrained men (mean age = 25 ± 4 years) were randomized to HIT or CMT, and assessed before and after six training sessions over a 12-day period. HIT included 8-12 intervals of cycling for 60 s at 95–100 % of maximal aerobic power (VO2MAX), interspersed by 75 s of cycling at 10 % VO2MAX. CMT consisted of 90–120 min of cycling at 65 % VO2MAX.

Results

VO2MAX increased following HIT and CMT by 11.5 and 5.5 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Calculated plasma volume expanded 11 % following HIT and 10 % following CMT (p < 0.005). Resting LV volumes and ejection fraction were unaltered following training. Peak atrial longitudinal strain increased following HIT (41.8 ± 5.2 %–47.1 ± 3.7 %, p < 0.01) and CMT (38.5 ± 4.6 %–41.7 ± 6.0 %, p < 0.01). Atrial systolic strain rate increased following HIT (1.6 ± 0.2 %/s–2.0 ± 0.3 %/s, p < 0.01) and CMT (1.6 ± 0.2 %/s–1.9 ± 0.2 %/s, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

LA function assessed by STE improves rapidly during short-term intensive exercise training.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

2D:

2-Dimensional

A2C:

Apical 2-chamber

A4C:

Apical 4-chamber

ALS:

Atrial longitudinal strain

ALSR:

Atrial longitudinal strain rate

AV:

Atrioventricular

AVP:

Atrioventricular plane

AVPD:

Atrioventricular plane displacement

bpm:

Beats per minute

CMT:

Continuous moderate-intensity training

Echo:

Echocardiography

EDV:

End-diastolic volume

ESV:

End-systolic volume

fps:

Frames per second

HIT:

High-intensity interval training

HR:

Heart rate

ICC:

Intraclass Correlation Coefficient

LA:

Left atrium/atrial

LAMAX :

Left atrial maximal volume

LAMIN :

Left atrial minimal volume

LAPRE-A :

Left atrial pre-contraction volume

LV:

Left ventricle/ventricular

PALS:

Peak atrial longitudinal strain

PV:

Plasma volume

SEARLY :

Strain during early diastole

SLATE :

Strain during late diastole

SR:

Strain rate

SRSYSTOLIC :

Strain rate during systole

SREARLY :

Strain rate during early diastole

SRLATE :

Strain rate during late diastole

STE:

Speckle tracking echocardiography

SV:

Stroke volume

VO2MAX :

Maximal oxygen uptake

References

  • Benito B et al (2011) Cardiac arrhythmogenic remodeling in a rat model of long-term intensive exercise trainingclinical perspective. Circulation 123:13–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blomqvist CG, Saltin B (1983) Cardiovascular adaptations to physical training. Annu Rev Physiol 45:169–189. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.45.030183.001125

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blume GG, McLeod CJ, Barnes ME, Seward JB, Pellikka PA, Bastiansen PM, Tsang TS (2011) Left atrial function: physiology, assessment, and clinical implications. Eur J Echocardiogr 12:421–430. doi:10.1093/ejechocard/jeq175

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgomaster KA, Hughes SC, Heigenhauser GJF, Bradwell SN, Gibala MJ (2005) Six sessions of sprint interval training increases muscle oxidative potential and cycle endurance capacity in humans. J Appl Physiol 98:1985–1990. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01095.2004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgomaster KA, Heigenhauser GJF, Gibala MJ (2006) Effect of short-term sprint interval training on human skeletal muscle carbohydrate metabolism during exercise and time-trial performance. J Appl Physiol 100:2041–2047. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01220.2005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burstein B, Nattel S (2008) Atrial fibrosis: mechanisms and clinical relevance in atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol 51:802–809

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cameli M et al (2009) Feasibility and reference values of left atrial longitudinal strain imaging by two-dimensional speckle tracking. Cardiovascular ultrasound 7:6. doi:10.1186/1476-7120-7-6

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie KD, Thomas SG, Goodman JM (2009) Effects of short-term endurance exercise training on vascular function in young males. Eur J Appl Physiol 107:211–218. doi:10.1007/s00421-009-1116-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Andrea A et al (2010) Left atrial volume index in highly trained athletes. Am Heart J 159:1155–1161. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2010.03.036

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gabrielli L et al. (2014) Atrial functional and geometrical remodeling in highly trained male athletes: for better or worse? Eur J Appl Physiol, 1–10

  • Gabrielli L, Enríquez A, Córdova S, Yáñez F, Godoy I, Corbalán R (2012) Assessment of left atrial function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and athlete’s heart: a left atrial myocardial deformation study. Echocardiography 29:943–949

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibala MJ et al (2006) Short-term sprint interval versus traditional endurance training: similar initial adaptations in human skeletal muscle and exercise performance. J Physiol 575:901–911. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2006.112094

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman JM, Liu PP, Green HJ (2005) Left ventricular adaptations following short-term endurance training. J Appl Physiol 98:454–460. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00258.2004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green HJ, Jones LL, Painter DC (1990) Effects of short-term training on cardiac function during prolonged exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 22:488

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harris SK, Petrella RJ, Overend TJ, Paterson DH, Cunningham DA (2003) Short-term training effects on left ventricular diastolic function and oxygen uptake in older and younger men. Clin J Sport Med 13:245

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kasikcioglu E, Oflaz H, Akhan H, Kayserilioglu A, Umman B, Bugra Z, Erzengin F (2006) Left atrial geometric and functional remodeling in athletes. Int J Sports Med 27:267–271

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kivistö S, Perhonen M, Holmström M, Lauerma K (2006) Assessment of the effect of endurance training on left ventricular relaxation with magnetic resonance imaging. Scand J Med Sci Sports 16:321–328. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2005.00493.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kojima T et al (2012) Left atrial global and regional function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has already been impaired before enlargement of left atrium: velocity vector imaging echocardiography study. Eur Heart J Cardiovas Imaging 13:227–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuppahally SS et al (2010) Left atrial strain and strain rate in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 3:231–239. doi:10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.109.865683

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lang RM et al (2006) Recommendations for chamber quantification. Eur J Echocardiogr 7:79–108. doi:10.1016/j.euje.2005.12.014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine B, Lane L, Buckey J, Friedman D, Blomqvist C (1991) Left ventricular pressure-volume and Frank-Starling relations in endurance athletes. Implications for orthostatic tolerance and exercise performance. Circulation 84:1016–1023

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy WC, Cerqueira MD, Abrass IB, Schwartz RS, Stratton JR (1993) Endurance exercise training augments diastolic filling at rest and during exercise in healthy young and older men. Circulation 88:116–126

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Little JP, Safdar A, Wilkin GP, Tarnopolsky MA, Gibala MJ (2010) A practical model of low-volume high-intensity interval training induces mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle: potential mechanisms. J Physiol 588:1011–1022. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2009.181743

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Molina L et al (2008) Long-term endurance sport practice increases the incidence of lone atrial fibrillation in men: a follow-up study. Europace 10:618–623

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mondillo S, Cameli M, Caputo ML, Lisi M, Palmerini E, Padeletti M, Ballo P (2011) Early detection of left atrial strain abnormalities by speckle-tracking in hypertensive and diabetic patients with normal left atrial size. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 24:898–908. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2011.04.014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mont L, Elosua R, Brugada J (2009) Endurance sport practice as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Europace 11:11–17

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mor-Avi V, Lang, RM, Badano LP, Belohlavek M, Cardim NM, Derumeaux G, Zamorano JL (2011) Current and evolving echocardiographic techniques for the quantitative evaluation of cardiac mechanics: ASE/EAE consensus statement on methodology and indications endorsed by the Japanese Society of Echocardiography. Eur J Echocardiogr 12(3):167–205

  • Nagueh SF et al (2009) Recommendations for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography. Eur J Echocardiogr 10:165–193

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nishikawa Y, Roberts JP, Tan P, Klopfenstein CE, Klopfenstein HS (1994) Effect of dynamic exercise on left atrial function in conscious dogs. J Physiol 481:457–468

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pelliccia A et al (2005) Prevalence and clinical significance of left atrial remodeling in competitive athletes. J Am Coll Cardiol 46:690–696. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2005.04.052

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi A, Cicoira M, Zanolla L, Sandrini R, Golia G, Zardini P, Enriquez-Sarano M (2002) Determinants and prognostic value of left atrial volume in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 40:1425–1430

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi A et al (2009) Independent relationship of left atrial size and mortality in patients with heart failure: an individual patient meta-analysis of longitudinal data (MeRGE Heart Failure). Eur J Heart Fail 11:929–936

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saraiva RM, Demirkol S, Buakhamsri A, Greenberg N, Popovic ZB, Thomas JD, Klein AL (2010) Left atrial strain measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking represents a new tool to evaluate left atrial function. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 23:172–180. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2009.11.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spina RJ, Ogawa T, Martin W, Coggan AR, Holloszy J, Ehsani A (1992) Exercise training prevents decline in stroke volume during exercise in young healthy subjects. J Appl Physiol 72:2458–2462

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toutouzas K, Trikas A, Pitsavos C, Barbetseas J, Androulakis A, Stefanadis C, Toutouzas P (1996) Echocardiographic features of left atrium in elite male athletes. Am J Cardiol 78:1314–1317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Beaumont W, Strand J, Petrofsky J, Hipskind S, Greenleaf J (1973) Changes in total plasma content of electrolytes and proteins with maximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 34:102–106

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vaturi M, Hadar T, Yedidya I, Shapira Y, Monakier D, Weisenberg DE, Sagie A (2010) The association of left atrial volume with exercise capacity in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation. Isr Med Assoc J 12:150

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Joan Persaud for her technical assistance. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant (#130477).

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Steve Wright & Jack M. Goodman

  2. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Steve Wright, Sam Esfandiari & Jack M. Goodman

  3. Division of Cardiology, University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Nader Elmayergi, Zion Sasson & Jack M. Goodman

Authors
  1. Steve Wright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sam Esfandiari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nader Elmayergi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zion Sasson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jack M. Goodman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jack M. Goodman.

Additional information

Communicated by Keith Phillip George.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wright, S., Esfandiari, S., Elmayergi, N. et al. Left atrial functional changes following short-term exercise training. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 2667–2675 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2989-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2989-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation