The effect of 8-week aerobic interval training and a detraining period on left ventricular structure and function in non-athlete healthy men

ABSTRACT Background: Exercise plays an important role to improve cardiovascular performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect 8wk of aerobic cyclic training and a detraining period on left ventricular structure and function in non-athlete healthy men. Materials and Method: In this research, ten male non-athlete students were volunteered and participated in a 8-week running program (3days/week, at 70% of Maximum Heart Rate) and 4 weeks detraining afterwards. In each session, cyclic running was done in 5 nine-minute stages and there was a four-minute inactive rest among them. Results: Using echocardiography, there was a significant difference in interventricular septal thickness, percent of rapid shortening and percent of ejection fraction after 8 weeks training compared to before training. It was found no significant difference end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions, posterior wall thickness, left atrium diameter, aortic root thickness, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures. There was a significant difference in end-systolic dimension, intervntricular septal thickness, left atrium diameter, percent of rapid shortening and ejection fraction following 4-week detraining after training compared to 8-week. Conclusion: Eight-week aerobic cyclic training and a detraining period can effect on left ventricle structure and function