Cardiovascular effects of training for a marathon run in unfit middle aged men

Abstract

The effects of a 30 week exercise programme on serum lipid values, blood pressure, and cardiac function were assessed in a group of sedentary men aged 35–50 training for their first marathon. Mean serum cholesterol concentration (n=33) fell by 12% from 6.54 (SE 0.18) to 5•76 (0.15) mmol/1 (mean fall 0•78 mmol/1; 95% confidence interval 0•52 to 1.04 mmol/1), serum triglyceride concentration (n=33) by 22% from 1.56 (0.17) to 1•21 (0•09) mmol/1 (mean fall 0•34 mmol/1; 95% confidence interval 0•12 to 0•56 mmol/1), and mean blood pressure (n=27) by 10% from 102 (2) to 92 (2) mm Hg (mean fall 10 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval 7 to 13 mm Hg). These changes were not explained by changes in body composition. Peak exercise left ventricular end diastolic volume (n=16) increased with training; as a result of this and an increased exercise left ventricular ejection fraction peak exercise cardiac output increased from 19•9 (1.2) to 23•1 (3.0) 1/min (mean rise 3*21/min; 95% confidence interval 1•5 to 5.0 1/min). Maximum oxygen consumption increased from 33•9 (1.6) to 39•0 (1.3) ml/kg/min (mean rise 5–0 ml/kg/min; 95% confidence interval 1•8 to 8•2 ml/kg/min). This study showed favourable effects on coronary risk factors and cardiac function and supports the place of regular exercise in coronary prevention programmes. © 1987, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.