Lack of sex-specific differences in the associations between the dimensions of great vessels and exercise performance in amateur cyclists.

Background: Endurance training enhances exercise capacity and triggers cardiovascular adaptations in both males and females. We investigated the relationship between the dimensions of great vessels and exercise capacity in amateur cyclists while considering sex differences.

Methods: Using resting transthoracic echocardiography, we measured the dimensions of the main pulmonary artery (PA), aorta, and inferior vena cava (IVC) in 190 participants, who subsequently underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) until exhaustion.

Sex differences in the associations between right heart structure and peak exercise capacity parameters in amateur cyclists.

Right heart changes and their association with exercise capacity, including sex differences, are still being investigated. We analysed right heart structure and its relationship with exercise capacity parameters in amateur cyclists. A cross-sectional study involving 215 consecutive adult amateur cyclists, who underwent resting transthoracic echocardiography and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to exhaustion was performed.

A Human Model of the Effects of an Instant Sheer Weight Loss on Cardiopulmonary Parameters during a Treadmill Run.

Exercise tolerance is limited in obesity and improves after weight reduction; therefore, we mutually compared the relative changes in exercise capacity variables during cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in a 12 kg sheer weight reduction model. Twenty healthy male runners underwent two CPETs: CPET1 with the actual body weight, which determined the anaerobic threshold (AT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP); and CPET2 during which the participants wore a +12 kg vest and ran at the AT speed set during the CPET1. Running after body weight reduction shifted the CPET parameters from the high-mixed aerobic-anaerobic (RCP) to the aerobic zone (AT), but these relative changes were not mutually similar.

The serum concentration of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor is lower in ambulatory and clinically stable patients with more advanced systolic heart failure.

Introduction: Brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is decreased in heart failure (HF), but whether serum BDNF concentration is related to the severity of HF with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50% is uncertain.

Objectives: We aimed to compare cardiac structure and function in ambulatory and clinically stable patients with HF and LVEF below 50% for lower and higher BDNF serum concentrations.

Patients And Methods: A total of 361 ambulatory patients with a compensated HF and LVEF below 50% underwent cardiac evaluation and measurement of serum BDNF and N‑terminal pro-B‑type natriuretic peptide (NT‑proBNP).