Background—A decreased ratio of early to late diastolic mitral inflow velocities (E/A 1.0) reflects slowing of left ventricular (LV) relaxation. This finding is widely believed to indicate significant diastolic dysfunction. However, E/A 1.0 is common during normal aging and often is not associated with symptoms of heart failure. We asked (1) whether slowed LV relaxation is associated with exerc...

Background—A decreased ratio of early to late diastolic mitral inflow velocities (E/A 1.0) reflects slowing of left ventricular (LV) relaxation. This finding is widely believed to indicate significant diastolic dysfunction. However, E/A 1.0 is common during normal aging and often is not associated with symptoms of heart failure. We asked (1) whether slowed LV relaxation is associated with exerc...

OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to determine if brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are associated with exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND Plasma levels of BNP are increased subject to the degree of systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic HF. Exercise testing is useful to assess functional capacity and progno...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation on functional capacity, and to determine the role of a mixed type, moderate intensity exercise programme in the recovery of patients after intensive cancer treatment. METHODS Peak aerobic capacity and muscular strength (upper body, lower body, and handgrip strength) measures were assessed before (PI) and after (PI...

BACKGROUND Fructose-induced hypertension was used to test the hypothesis that taurine supplementation and/or exercise can prevent hypertension and increase exercise capacity. METHODS Five groups of 15 Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated and designated as control, high fructose-fed (fructose), high fructose-fed plus exercise (FE), high fructose-fed plus 2% taurine supplement (FT) and high fruct...

BACKGROUND Determinants of exercise capacity have not been clearly defined in hypertensive patients. Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), a recently developed echocardiographic modality, is useful for evaluating left ventricular (LV) function regardless of loading conditions. The present study was performed to identify the determinants of exercise capacity in hypertensive patients using DTI. METHODS...

Echinochrome A (Echi A) improves mitochondrial function in the heart; however, its effects on skeletal muscle are still unclear. We hypothesized that Echi A administration during short-term exercise may improve exercise capacity. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control group (CG), Echi A-treated group (EG), aerobic exercise group (AG), and a...

KEY POINTS Endurance trained athletes exhibit enhanced cardiovascular function compared to non-athletes, although it is considered that exercise training does not enhance lung structure and function. An increased pulmonary capillary blood volume at rest is associated with a higher V̇O2 max . In the present study, we compared the diffusion capacity, pulmonary capillary blood volume and diffusing ...

The effects of anticholinergic agents or long acting beta(2)-agonists on exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves various out come measures but there is not enough double-blind study which included comparison of different medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of ipratropium bromide and formoterol on exercise capacity and also to determine...

BACKGROUND Cardiac rehabilitation in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) is a component of secondary prevention that has an established role in the current guidelines. AIM To determine the effect of physical training on exercise capacity parameters determined on the basis of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients after MI. We also evaluated the relationship between the number ...