Geert Kleinnibbelink

Chapter 2 50 Left ventricular structure, function and mechanics All LV structural, functional and mechanicals indices pre- and post- 45-minute high- intensity running exercise are displayed in Table 3 . With the exception of LVS’ (Exercise: p=0.78), indices of LV systolic function (LVEF, LVGLS) significantly reduced following high-intensity exercise (Exercise: p < 0.001). The reduction in LVEF and LVGLS was more pronounced in stress versus rest echocardiography (Exercise*Stress: both p < 0.05, Figure 3B ). Exercise under hypoxia. Changes in LV indices in response to exercise, either examined at rest and/or during stress, were not different when performed under hypoxic conditions (Hypoxia*Exercise and Exercise*Hypoxia*Stress: p > 0.05, Table 3 ). Blood pressure response patterns did not significantly differ between hypoxic and normoxic conditions (Hypoxia and Hypoxia*Exercise: all p > 0.05, Table 3 ).