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Effects of Resistance Training on Ventricular Function and Hypertrophy in a Rat Model

Valério Garrone Barauna, MSc, School of Physical Education and Sports, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Kaleizu Teodoro Rosa, MSc, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
Maria Cláudia Irigoyen, PhD, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
Edilamar Menezes de Oliveira, PhD, School of Physical Education and Sports, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Reprint Requests: Edilamar Menezes de Oliveira, PhD, Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Physical Education and Sport, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes, 65, 05508-900, Butantã, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP-Brazil, Tel: 55-11-3091-3136, Fax: 55-11-3813-5921, Email: edilamar{at}usp.br

Objective: The purpose of this study was to follow the ventricular function and cardiac hypertrophy in rats undergoing a resistance-training program for a period of 3 months.

Design: Forty animals were divided into two major groups: control (n=16) and resistance trained (n=24). From the resistance-trained group, 12 animals were resistance trained for 1 month and another 12 for 3 months. The resistance-training protocol was performed with 4 sets of 12 repetitions using 65% to 75% of one repetition maximum (maximum lifted weight with the exercise apparatus).

Methods: Echocardiographic analysis was performed at the beginning of the resistance-training period and at the end of each month. The repetition maximum was measured every 2 weeks. Cardiac hypertrophy was determined by echocardiography, by the absolute weight of the cardiac chambers and by histology of the left ventricle.

Results: Before resistance training, both groups had similar repetition maximums, ranging from 1.8-fold to 2-fold the body weight; however, at the end of the resistance-training period, the repetition maximum of the resistance-trained group was 6-fold greater than the body weight. The left ventricular mass as assessed by echocardiography was 8%, 12% and 16% larger in the resistance-trained group than in the control group in the first, second and third months, respectively. This hypertrophy showed a similar increase in the interventricular septum and in the free posterior wall mass. There was no reduction in the end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter during the 3-month resistance-training period. Systolic function did not differ between the groups throughout the resistance-training period.

Conclusion: Resistance training induces the development of concentric cardiac hypertrophy without ventricular dysfunction or cavity reduction. Although diastolic function was not completely investigated, we cannot exclude the possibility that resistance training results in diastolic dysfunction.

Key Words: Cardiac hypertrophy • Echocardiography • Resistance training

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				V. G. Barauna, F. C. Magalhaes, J. E. Krieger, and E. M. Oliveira AT1 receptor participates in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by resistance training in rats Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2008; 295(2): R381 - R387. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]