EFFECTS OF COMBINED ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH TRAINING ON LEFT-VENTRICULAR MORPHOLOGY IN MALE AND FEMALE ROWERS

The effects of 10 weeks of combined endurance and strength training on left ventricular (LV) morphology, muscular strength, maximal oxygen c onsumption (VO2max) and rowing performance were assessed. Twenty-five subjects (eight males, mean age 23.0+/-6.1 years, and 17 females, 22.7 +/-5.0 years) were tested at baseline and after five and 10 weeks of t raining. Combined training was associated with significant improvement s in VO2max, rowing performance and muscular strength after 10 weeks o f training. A significant increase in LV diastolic dimension was found in males after 10 weeks of training; however, no significant alterati on was found for any other measured echocardiographic variable. Theref ore, with the exception of LV diastolic dimension in males, 10 weeks o f combined endurance and strength training appears to be an insufficie nt stimulus to elicit significant alterations in LV morphology despite changes in VO2max, muscular strength or rowing performance.