Left Ventricular Compliance

and Distensibility (LVCD)

Reversing the effects of sedentary aging
Cardiac Hypertrophy
 Left Ventricular stiffening
occurs during healthy aging,
between youth and middle-
age. The process is complete
by age 65
A 2012 study, published in the Journal of
Physiology concluded, “Our results suggest that LV
stiffening with ageing occurs during the transition
between youth and middle-age and becomes
manifest between the ages of 50–64; LV volume
contraction and remodelling follow in the senior
years. Early–late middle age thus may represent a
‘sweet spot’ when interventions to prevent stiff
ageing hearts may be most effective.” (Journal of Physiology.
Effect of ageing on left ventricular compliance and distensibility in healthy sedentary humans.
Fujimoto, et. al.)
 Exercise can reverse damage to
healthy, sedentary, aging hearts and
help prevent risk of future heart
failure – if it’s started in time and
enough is done
Published January 2018 in Journal of Circulation -
Reversing the Cardiac Effects of Sedentary Aging
in Middle Age—A Randomized Controlled Trial

• 53 of 61 participants completed the program

• Program adherence was 88% +/- 11%
• VO2 max 18%
• LV end diastolic volume increase, constant capillary wedge pressure,
increase stroke volume
Group 1 – Intervention/Exercise Training
Progressing over 3 months to doing aerobic intervals
4×4 interval sessions (4 minutes of exercise at 95% peak: 3 minutes of active
recovery at 60%–75% peak HR, repeated 4 times).
A recovery day consisting of 20 to 30 minutes of walking or light aerobic activity
followed each interval day.
By month six, participants were training 5 to 6 hours per week.
2 interval sessions, and 1 long (minimum 60 minutes). 1 30-minute base pace
session each week. Exercise capacity was tested again at 10 month. This program
continued for 2 years.

Group 2 – Balance and Flexibility (Control)

The balance and flexibility group was prescribed a combination of yoga, balance,
and strength training 3 times per week for 2 years.
The researchers demonstrated that 2 years of intensive Exercise
Training, at or above the current public health
recommendations, increases maximal oxygen uptake and
decreases cardiac stiffness in previously sedentary but otherwise
healthy middle-aged adults. Regular Exercise Training may
provide protection against the future risk of Heart failure with
preserved ejection fraction by preventing the increase in cardiac
stiffness attributable to sedentary aging.
References

http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2018/exercise-aging-heart.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510971404546X

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573309/