A comparison of myocardial function in former athletes and non-athletes

Heart rate (HR), total electromechanical systole (Q-S2), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), pre-ejection period (PEP), and diastole (D) were compared in 350 former athletes and 156 non-athletes, age 27-74. The two cohorts had been equated according to habitual leisure time physical activity. Former athletes exhibited significantly longer Q-S2 and PEP at rest, and significantly lower HR and lengthened Q-S2, LVET, PEP, and D at one minute following a standard two minute step test (less than 0.05). Significantly differences were observed between athletes and non-athletes in the light and moderate activity categories. There were no significant differences between former athletes and non-athletes currently engaged in strenuous leisure time physical activity. Comparisons were made among the three levels of habitual leisure time physical activity with each group and revealed that HR was lower and Q-S2, LVET, PEP, and D were longer at rest and following exercise as the level of physical activity increased. There were more significant differences among former athletes than among non-athletes. Most of these differences were between light to moderate and light to strenuous levels of activity. The evidence suggests an advantage in myocardial function among former athletes compared to their non-athlete counterparts.