THE HEART OF THE SENIOR OARSMAN - AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION

We evaluated left ventricular mass and function in 15 oarsmen aged 78 (65-82) yr (median and range) and in 15 sedentary males aged 72 (65-81 ) yr by 2-D and M-mode echocardiography and cycle ergometry. The weekl y time spent exercising among the oarsmen was 6 (2-18) h and two of th e oarsmen were former national and international champions. The two gr oups of subjects had similar weight, height, and resting blood pressur e. The oarsmen reached a maximal work rate of 142 (117-174) vs 113 (75 -150) W for the sedentary group (P < 0.01). The internal diameters of the left ventricle were not significantly different, but the septum an d posterior wall thicknesses were larger in the oarsmen (11 (8-20) vs 9 (7-11) mm, and 9 (8-13) vs 8 (7-19) mm, respectively, P < 0.023). Th us, the left ventricular mass index of the oarsmen was 19% larger (127 (101-284) vs 103 (74-134) g . m(-2), P < 0.01). Also, the systolic fu nction appeared to be superior in the oarsmen as the fractional shorte ning was 0.45 (0.28-0.55) vs 0.36 (0.18-0.49) in the controls (P < 0.0 5). In conclusion, we found that long-term rowing in the senior oarsma n is associated with enlarged myocardial wall thickness, a normal syst olic function, and a high work capacity.