Cardiovascular effects of the Valsalva maneuver during static arm exercise in elite power lifting athletes

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate whether a blood pressure increase during static exercises might affect the left ventricular function and whether a possible pressure overload might decrease cardio-respiratory adaptation to aerobic exercise in power lifting athletes. Nine resistance-trained athletes and ten age-matched untrained men participated in high intensity isometric exercise performed during the Valsalva maneuver and in an incremental arm cranking test. All subjects underwent echocardiographic evaluation. The combine effect of exercise and increased intrathoracic pressure due to the Valsalva maneuver was a significant increase in systolic blood pressure in the athletes compared with controls. Echocardiography demonstrated significant differences in left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index; both being higher in the athletes than in controls. The intraventricular septum diameter and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were significantly greater and the myocardial performance index was lower in the athletes compared with controls, indicating a better left ventricular function in the athletes. A cumulative effect of mechanical compression of peripheral blood vessels by contracting muscles and intrathoracic pressure increase during the Valsalva maneuver did not compromise myocardial contractility and cardiorespiratory adaptation to incremental arm exercise in power lifting athletes. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013.