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Diastolic function in healthy humans: non-invasive assessment and the impact of acute and chronic exercise

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Abstract

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is important because the enhanced systolic function that underpins high levels of cardio-respiratory fitness has to be matched by changes in LV filling, and LV diastolic dysfunction plays a key early role in the development and progression of a myriad of cardiovascular diseases. This review serves to detail knowledge in relation to: (1) the definition of diastole and the mechanical processes that occur during the diastolic period, (2) the quantitative assessment of diastolic function, predominantly focusing on non-invasive echocardiographic imaging modes such as tissue Doppler imaging and deformation analysis, (3) the impact of acute aerobic exercise on diastolic function, from the augmentation of function necessary to meet the demand for an increased cardiac output at exercise onset, to current concerns related to the impact of prolonged or ultra-endurance activity on diastolic function during recovery, (4) the adaptation in diastolic function observed with chronic aerobic exercise training in athletes and sedentary individuals who undergo training programmes, and (5) directions for future research.

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Acknowledgments

DJG and LHN receive funding support from the National Heart Foundation of Australia. GPW has received funding from Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY, UK) and KPG, GPW, RES and DO have received technical and equipment support from General Electric (UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool, UK

    Keith P. George, Greg P. Whyte & Daniel J. Green

  2. School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University of Western Australia, Brisbane, Australia

    Louise H. Naylor & Daniel J. Green

  3. Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

    Rob E. Shave

  4. School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    David Oxborough

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  1. Keith P. George
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  2. Louise H. Naylor
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  3. Greg P. Whyte
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  4. Rob E. Shave
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  5. David Oxborough
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  6. Daniel J. Green
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Correspondence to Keith P. George.

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Communicated by Nigel Taylor.

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George, K.P., Naylor, L.H., Whyte, G.P. et al. Diastolic function in healthy humans: non-invasive assessment and the impact of acute and chronic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 108, 1–14 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1233-0

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