Abstract 14780: High Intensity Interval Training Does Not Improve Longitudinal Cardiac Motion During Systole or Early Diastole

IntroductionAthletes have greater longitudinal systolic excursion and early diastolic recoil compared to sedentary peers, but the reason for this difference is unclear. Long-term high intensity interval training (HIIT) in sedentary adults improves left ventricular compliance, indicative of preserved cardiac plasticity in middle age. Whether HIIT also improves cardiac longitudinal motion in sedentary middle-aged adults is unknown.HypothesisWe hypothesized 2 years of HIIT will increase systolic excursion and early diastolic recoil.MethodsMiddle aged, healthy adults (n=61, 53 ± 5 years) were randomized to HIIT or yoga control for 2 years. A maximal cardiopulmonary test to assess fitness (VO2max) and resting transthoracic echocardiogram were performed before and after intervention. Tissue Doppler of the septal and lateral mitral annulus was performed, and the velocity time integral (VTI) was used to calculate longitudinal excursion (S’ VTI) and early diastolic recoil (E’ VTI).ResultsFifty-one subjects finished the study. VO2max increased by 19.7% in the HIIT group, while controls decreased by 6% (Δ5.66 ± 2.85 vs Δ-1.78 ± 5.13 mL/min/kg, p