GNAS A-1121G variant is associated with improved diastolic dysfunction in response to exercise training in heart failure patients.

ß1-adrenergic receptors (ADRB1) and Gαs proteins (GNAS) play important roles in the regulation of cardiac function. The present study sought to investigate whether ADRB1 Arg389Gly (rs1801253), GNAS -1211 G/A (rs6123837) and GNAS 2291 C/T (rs6026584) variants are associated with left ventricular function and exercise tolerance in heart failure patients. 61 heart failure patients completed a 6-month exercise-training programme. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral inflow velocities (deceleration time, and E/A ratio) and exercise tolerance (METs) were assessed at baseline and following exercise training. There were no associations between the studied variants and LVEF or E/A ratio measured at baseline and after exercise training. Deceleration time of early mitral flow was higher at baseline in GNAS -1211G allele carriers compared with -1211A allele homozygotes (P<0.05). Exercise training attenuated deceleration time in -1211G allele carriers (P<0.05) but not in -1211A allele homozygotes. Moreover, ADRB1 389Gly homozygotes had a greater training-induced increase in exercise tolerance than 389Arg homozygotes (P=0.04). This study shows that the functional GNAS -1121 G/A polymorphism is associated with diastolic function at baseline and in response to exercise training in heart failure patients. Furthermore, our data suggest that ADRB1 Arg389Gly polymorphism may influence exercise tolerance.

Do PPARGC1A and PPARalpha polymorphisms influence sprint or endurance phenotypes?

Functional Gly482Ser (rs8192678) and G/C (rs4253778) polymorphisms in the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator1 (PPARGC1A) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) genes, respectively, have been associated with mRNA and protein activity. The aim of this study was to determine their frequency distribution among 155 Israeli athletes (endurance athletes and sprinters) and 240 healthy controls. Results showed that there was a significant difference in PPARGC1A Ser482Gly polymorphism genotype frequencies between endurance athletes and sprinters (P=0.005) as well as between endurance athletes and controls (P=0.0003). However, the sprinters' genotype and allele frequencies were similar to that of the control group. A significantly lower proportion of PPARGC1A Ser482 allele (0.25) was noted for the endurance athletes compared with controls (0.43, P=0.0001). Endurance athletes showed a trend of a higher yet a not significant proportion of the PPARalpha GG genotype compared with sprinters (P=0.051). As we compared between the subgroups of top-level endurance athletes and top-level sprinters, as well as between those of top-level and national-level endurance athletes, we reached more prominent results. In conclusion, our data indicate that a lower frequency of the Ser482 allele and possibly a higher frequency of the GG genotype are associated with increased endurance performance ability.

CK-MM gene polymorphism does not influence the blood CK activity levels after exhaustive eccentric exercise.

Gene variants, such as creatine kinase (CK) polymorphisms, have been suggested to explain the inter-individual blood CK response to eccentric exercise. However, since this association is still doubtful, the purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between the magnitudes of the CK response to exercise with the occurrence of muscle CK-MM NcoI polymorphism in young healthy subjects. Blood CK activity was assessed in 70 subjects immediately before and 3, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168 h after strenuous eccentric exercise. Based on the amount of CK release by each subject, the sample was distributed in quartiles and the genotype and allele frequency distribution was compared among quartiles. Despite the inter-individual variability of CK response observed between subjects, there were no differences in genotype and allele frequencies among quartiles. The results allowed us to conclude that CK response after exhaustive eccentric exercise is not associated with CK-MM Ncol polymorphism.

Effect of different sprint training regimes on the oxygen delivery-extraction in elite sprinters.

AIM: The effects of sprint training regimes of varying distance schedules on the oxygen delivery-extraction relationship were investigated in 15 young (22+/-1 years) healthy males national-level sprinters. METHODS: During one session subjects performed four sprints, in a schedule of increasing distance order (100, 200, 300 and 400 m), and during the other session, in a schedule of decreasing distance order (400, 300, 200, and 100 m). All sprint bouts were performed on a treadmill at a speed of 22 km/h-1, which corresponds to 85% of subjects' maximal speeds. The order of the running sequences during sessions was balanced over subjects. RESULTS: During both sprint schedules, all variables except for oxygen extraction in the incremented training regime, increased significantly from rest to exercise. Training regimes were not different with regard to cardiac output and absolute oxygen uptake. However, the decreasing compared to the increasing scheme was characterized by significantly (P<0.05) higher mean values of heart rate (194.5+/-4.1 185.2+/-5.7 beats/min-1, respectively), oxygen extraction (54.3+/-3.8 and 47.1+/-3.4 mL/L-1, respectively) and lactate (10.6+/-0.5 and 9.2+/-0.7 mmol/L-1, respectively), while stroke volume was significantly (P<0.05) lower (100.4+/-4.5 and 109.7+/-4.4 mL, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that in sprinters performing a similar distance at the same speed, but under different training regimes interplay exists between oxygen delivery and extraction, suggesting a link between the type of training scheme and physiological cardiovascular and skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations. This may explain the absence of differences between the conditions in absolute oxygen uptake and peak power output.

ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and Israeli top-level athletes.

A common genetic variation in the alpha-actinin-3 ( ACTN3) gene causes a replacement of an arginine (R) with a premature stop codon (X) at amino-acid 577 (rs1815739). While the R allele has been found to be associated with power-oriented performance, the XX genotype may be linked with endurance ability. To test this hypothesis, we studied the distribution of ACTN3 genotypes in 155 Israeli athletes (age=35.9+12.2 years) classified by sport (endurance runners and sprinters) and in 240 sedentary individuals. The sprinters' allele frequencies (AF: R/X=0.7/0.3) and 577RR genotype distribution percentage (GD: RR=52%) differed markedly from those of the endurance athletes (AF: R/X=0.53/0.47, p=0.000007; GD: RR=18%, p=0.00009) and the control group (AF: R/X=0.55/0.45, p=0.0002; GD: RR=27.3%, p=0.000003). A comparison between the top-level and national-level sprinters revealed that the R allele occurs more often in the top-level sprinters. A significantly higher proportion of the XX genotype was observed in endurance athletes (34%) compared with controls (18%, p=0.02) and sprinters (13%, p=0.002). However, top-level and national level endurance athletes had similar allele and genotype frequencies. We conclude that the ACTN3 R allele is associated with top-level sprint performance and the X allele and XX genotypes may not be critical but rather additive to endurance performance.

Is there an ACE ID - ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms interaction that influences sprint performance?

Functional R577X (rs.1815739) and ID (rs.5186) polymorphisms in the alpha-actinin-3 ( ACTN3) and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes, respectively, have been associated with sprint performance. The aim of this study was to determine their effect on sprint performance among 81 Israeli sprinters and 240 healthy controls. Results revealed that the ACE II genotype+ ACTN3 R allele (P=0.003 for sprinters vs. controls), and the ACTN3 RR genotype +ACE I allele (P=0.001 for sprinters vs. controls) might be the genotype for sprinters. In the whole cohort the probability of ACTN3 RR genotype+ ACE I allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.45-4.93) and of ACE II genotype+ ACTN3 R allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval 1.78-7.15) was significantly higher than that in the controls. In conclusion, the above data suggest that ACE ID/ ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is associated with sprint ability. However, ACE ID/ ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is not related to the level of performance.

Acute incremental exercise to maximal performance does not cause alterations in serum oxidant levels of healthy young individuals.

AIM: This study was designed to analyze serum oxidative stress (OS) levels in healthy young individuals performing a routine maximal aerobic exercise and to evaluate the correlation between OS levels and physiological parameters. METHODS: Serum OS levels were studied by thermochemiluminescence (TCL) parameters at rest and following maximal aerobic exercise in 85 healthy young subjects. Levels were measured by a real time on line TCL assay (higher TCL-Ratio and TCL-H3 = lower OS level). RESULTS: Aerobic capacity had no effect on baseline OS levels. Post-exercise OS levels correlated with maximal oxygen uptake (V.O(2max)) (P<0.005), delta V.O(2) (V.O(2max)- V.O(2)rest) (P<0.005), anaerobic threshold (VTH) (P<0.01), and total oxygen uptake (especially O(2) after VTH), (P<0.005). TCL-Ratio was related to total running time (P<0.01), as well. Post-exercise OS levels for the whole study group did not vary from baseline values. However, individuals with higher fitness level (V.O(2max) >percentile 60) had significantly lower values of TCL-H3 (P=0.04) and tended to have lower TCL-Ratio, indicating they had elevated OS levels. In a multivariate analysis OS level was most affected by V.O(2) after VTH (anaerobic phase of the test) (P=0.003; adjusted odds ratio of 3.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.55-7.48). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, acute incremental exercise to maximal performance does not cause alterations in serum oxidant levels of healthy young individuals. In healthy individuals performing maximal aerobic exercise, OS levels correlate with maximal aerobic power.

Effects of different sprint cycling bouts on left ventricular function in top cyclists.

AIM: The study investigated lactic acid and left ventricular function in response to two different sprint cycling schedules varying in their time schedule, in 15 healthy national level cyclists (23+/-1 years). METHODS: During one testing session subjects performed four strenuous bouts in a schedule of increasing time order: 1, 2, 3 and 4 min. In the other session, they performed a decreasing order: 4, 3, 2 and 1 min. Resting time between bouts in the increasing schedule were 2, 3, and 4 min, respectively. Resting times for the decreasing schedules were 4, 3 and 2 min, respectively. Exercise bouts were performed on an electrical cycle ergometer at 85% of each subject's maximal speed velocity. RESULTS: In both sprint cycling schemes, mean end-systolic volume and mean end-diastolic volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with bout's time. However, there was a significant interaction effect regarding schedule order and lactate accumulation. In the incremented scheme, lactate accumulated gradually during the session, while a high level of lactate was maintained throughout the decremented scheme (from 3.8+/-0.7 to 11.8+/-1.8 and from 9.5+/-1.5 to 10.8+/-1.9 mmol.L-1, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of cardiac function during the two schemes demonstrates different physiological responses. The decreasing scheme was characterized by a higher mean heart rate, a lower mean stroke volume and a lower mean end-diastolic volume (P < 0.05) indicating that during the two schemes, the functional mechanisms underlying cardiac response, are different. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in the face of high levels of lactic acid, during the decreasing scheme, venous return may be impeded, most likely due to reduced left ventricular filling time and inadequate vasodilatation of the arteries during the early phase of cycling bout. In addition, it suggests that the decreasing scheme may yield a better anaerobic and cardiovascular training method.

Weight lifting training and left ventricular function in adolescent subjects.

AIM: Training during adolescence may influence the myocardium's adaptation. Effects of exercise training on left ventricular function differ depending whether they result from pressure or volume overload. Accordingly, the present study was designed to examine, by echocardiography studies, the effects of endurance versus weight lifting training modes on left ventricular contractility in healthy adolescent boys. METHODS: Sixty healthy adolescent boys were randomly and evenly divided into 3 groups: weightlifting training, run-training, and control. Exercising groups underwent 28-week training programs, 3-4 times a week, 35 min each session. The weight lifting program for consisted of training on 6 dynamic resistive machines at resistance corresponding to 6-repetition maximum. The running program was composed of aerobic exercise training at 65% of their VO(2max). RESULTS: At rest, only in the runners end diastolic volume and end systolic pressure-volume ratio differed significantly (P<0.05) from pre- to post-testing. During post-testing session at peak exercise, runners compared to weightlifters demonstrated improvement respectively in: wall stress (245+/-42 and 290+/-35 103 dyn.cm(2)), end systolic pressure-volume ratio (7.2+/-.7 and 6.4+/-.5 ratio) and ejection fraction (82+/-5% and 76+/-5%). Maximal oxygen uptake (48.2+/-3.2 and 43.8+/-3.5 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)), also improved significantly (P<0.05). Maximal load was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the runners and weight lifters than in the control group with significantly (P<0.05) higher values for the weight lifters than runners. CONCLUSION: This study has showed that in adolescent boys the mode of exercise training leads to significant differences in left ventricular function and contractility, related to differences in volume-after-load relationship and not to fundamental differences in the properties of the myocardium.

The effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercises on circulating soluble-Klotho and IGF-I in young and elderly adults and in CAD patients.

Different studies support the notion that chronic aerobic exercises training can influence the circulating levels of soluble-Klotho (s-Klotho) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). The effects of s-Klotho include improving the quality of life, alleviating the negative impact of age on the body's work capacity, and possibly increasing longevity. This review provides an overview of the latest findings in this field of research in humans. The different modes of dynamic exercise and their impact on circulating levels of s-Klotho and IGF-I in young adult athletes, untrained young adults, trained healthy older adults, untrained healthy older adults, and coronary artery disease (CAD) patients are reviewed and discussed. Together these findings suggest that long-lasting (chronic) aerobic exercise training is probably one of the antiaging factors that counteract the aging and CAD process by increasing the circulating s-Klotho and lowering the IGF-I levels. However, following anaerobic exercise training the opposite occurs. The exact metabolic and physiological pathways involved in the activity of these well-trained young and master sportsmen should be further studied and elucidated. The purpose of this review was to provide a clarification regarding the roles of s-Klotho and intensities and durations of different exercise on human health.

Left ventricular responses to upright isometric handgrip and deadlift in men with coronary artery disease.

Isometric exercise is usually discouraged for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) because of the possible adverse effects of increased blood pressure on left ventricular (LV) function. Cardiovascular and LV responses to upright handgrip and deadlift were compared in 10 normal men (mean age 52 years) and 14 men (mean age 54 years) with documented CAD or myocardial infarction who were in a supervised exercise program. Handgrip and deadlift were each performed at 30% maximal effort for 3 minutes. LV technetium-99m multigated radionuclide angiograms, electrocardiogram and blood pressure were measured during the final 60 seconds. CAD patients had a significantly lower LV ejection fraction at rest (41%) than normal subjects (57%). Both groups showed equal and significant increases in heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure during handgrip and deadlift. These responses were all significantly greater in both groups during deadlift. No significant changes in LV ejection fraction occurred in either group during handgrip or deadlift. LV wall motion abnormalities were present in 9 of 14 CAD patients at rest and increased with handgrip (11 men) and deadlift (13 men). No LV abnormalities occurred in normal subjects. These data indicate cardiovascular responses are similar in normal and exercise-trained CAD patients during upright submaximal isometric exercise using small or large muscle groups. Radionuclide measurements of global LV function remain stable in both groups, during similar conditions of increased systolic pressure afterload. However, LV wall motion abnormalities are aggravated in CAD patients during isometric exercise.

Patent ductus arteriosus in old age.

An unusual case of patient ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a 78-year-old man is presented. The patient was known to have PDA since the age of 30, but it had remained well compensated until shortly before death. He had undergone some difficult operations successfully, and had no specific pulmonary complaints. Death at age 78 was caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease following myocardial infarction. Autopsy revealed a smooth patent ductus arteriosus with no perforation. The survival of a PDA patient to such advanced age is a comparatively rare occurrence.

Is copper hepatotoxic in primary biliary cirrhosis?

In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) liver copper retention occurs as a complication of cholestasis. By analogy with Wilson's disease, it has been suggested that copper retention is hepatotoxic in PBC, and this has been the rationale for the use of D-penicillamine in this disease. The hypothesis that copper is hepatotoxic in PBC has not been tested and in this study we have evaluated the role of liver copper retention in the pathogenesis of PBC. Sixty-four patients with PBC have been studied. Fifty-four had increased liver copper concentrations. Liver cell synthetic function was well preserved. All the patients had normal prothrombin times, and only two had subnormal serum albumin concentrations. There was no correlation between liver copper concentrations and the degree of liver cell damage assessed biochemically (aspartate transaminase), and histologically. Electron microscopy was performed on liver biopsies from five patients with markedly increased liver copper concentrations. The liver cell ultrastructure was compatible with cholestasis. Liver cells contained electron dense lysosomes, which were shown to contain copper and sulphur by x-ray probe microanalysis. The characteristic organelle changes associated with copper toxicity in Wilson's disease were not observed. The biochemical, histological, and histochemical differences between PBC complicated by liver copper retention, and Wilson's disease, indicates that there are differences in the handling of copper in these disease. In this study we could find no evidence to suggest that copper plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver dysfunction in PBC.

Dilated inferior vena cava: a common echocardiographic finding in highly trained elite athletes.

Typical structural features of the athlete's heart as defined by echocardiography have been extensively described; however, information concerning extracardiac structures such as the inferior vena cava (IVC) is scarce. Fifty-eight top-level athletes and 30 healthy members of a matched control group underwent a complete Doppler echocardiographic study. IVC diameter was determined in the subxiphoid approach 10 to 20 mm away from its junction to the right atrium. Measures reflect the median values between maximal inspiratory and expiratory values. IVC respiratory collapsibility index was determined as well. IVC in athletes was 2.31 +/- 0.46 cm compared with 1.14 +/- 0.13 cm in the control group (P <.001). Swimmers had an IVC diameter of 2.66 +/- 0.48 cm compared with 2.17 +/- 0.41 cm in other athletes (P <.05). The IVC was normal (/=2.6 cm) in 24.1% of athletes. The collapsibility index was 58% +/- 6.4% in athletes compared with 70.2% +/- 4.9% in the control group (P <. 001). Correlation was found between IVC size and VO(2) max (r = 0.81, P <.001) and the right ventricle (r = 0.81, P <.001) and with collapsibility index (r = -0.57, P <.05). Multiple regression analysis showed the impact of VO(2) max, cardiac index, and right ventricular and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions on IVC diameter. IVC dilatation probably represents adaptation of an extracardiac structure to chronic strenuous exercise in top-level, elite athletes.

Aging and the effect of increased after-load on left ventricular contractile state.

Hemodynamic and contractile states were studied echocardiographically in 10 young (28 +/- 3 yr) and 10 elderly (67 +/- 4 yr) male subjects at rest and during upright isometric exercise which involved the hands, hips, legs, and lower back muscle groups (deadlift) at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction for 3 min. During deadlift, both groups showed similar and significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate, compared to the resting values. Ejection fraction at rest did not differ significantly between the two groups. During deadlift, it remained unchanged in the elderly white ejection fraction increased significantly in the younger subjects. No significant changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume occurred in either group during deadlift. End-systolic volume remained unchanged in the elderly while it decreased significantly in the younger subjects. These data indicate that cardiovascular responses and contractile state in normal young men and normal exercise-trained elderly subjects were augmented during upright sub-maximal isometric deadlift exercise, utilizing large muscle mass. However, left ventricular contractility increased less in the elderly subjects compared to the younger subjects.

Left ventricular responses during prolonged treadmill walking with heavy load carriage.

This study examined with metabolic cart and echo-Doppler the influence of different load carriage during 4 h of treadmill walking on left ventricular systolic function, hemodynamics, and cardiovascular responses. Twenty-six aerobically well-trained male subjects (VO2max = 65.2 +/- 5 ml.kg-1.min-1) volunteered for this study. Subjects carried a load of 38 kg during one session and a load of 50 kg during the other session. Following the 4-h exercise in each session, significant (P < 0.05) differences were noted between the 38-kg and 50-kg workloads with regard to VO2: 14.4 +/- 2 and 19 +/- 5 ml.kg-1.min-1; heart rate: 104 +/- 14 and 125 +/- 17 beats.min-1; diastolic blood pressure: 69 +/- 4 and 79 +/- 4 mm Hg; and rate pressure product 140.4 +/- 15 and 173.8 +/- 20 index.10(-2), respectively. No significant differences were noted between the workloads in regard to systolic blood pressure, perceived exertion rating, and aortic valve Doppler indices. We concluded that during prolonged treadmill walking in well-trained young subjects, the additional load above 50% up to 66% of body weight did not change the steady state of left ventricular systolic function, hemodynamics, and cardiovascular responses throughout the course of the 240 min of effort.

Left ventricular contractility and function at peak aerobic and anaerobic exercises.

PURPOSE: The present study compared and evaluated left ventricular function and contractility at peak incremental aerobic type exercise and all-out explosive anaerobic effort in young healthy trained subjects. METHODS: Twenty-two young healthy trained subjects (19 +/- 1 yr) were studied by two-dimensional direct M-mode echocardiography at peak aerobic and at peak all-out anaerobic exercises, performed on cycle ergometer. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study without any electrocardiographic abnormalities. Significant (P < 0.05) differences between the aerobic and the anaerobic efforts were noted for peak cardiac output (24 +/- 2.0 and 15.0 +/- 1.1 L x min (-1), respectively), left ventricular pressure-volume ratio (5.8 +/- 0.6 and 4.7 +/- 0.5 respectively), end systolic volume (33 +/- 4 and 42 +/- 5 mL, respectively), ejection fraction (79 +/- 7 and 66 +/- 5%, respectively), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) (367 +/- 90 and 704 +/- 90 dynes x s(-1) x cm(- 5), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that left ventricular at peak all out anaerobic effort differed markedly from those observed at peak aerobic exercise. These differences are presumably due to the different after-load responses between the two exercise modes. Therefore, it is suggested that anaerobic-type effort should be performed with great caution in normal young healthy subjects.

Physiological responses to wrist weights during endurance cycling in normal subjects.

Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses were studied in 12 healthy males aged 45 +/- 7 yr (mean +/- SD) during 25 min of cycling exercise with (WW) and without (NW) arm swing with wrist weights at 60% and 75% of their maximal heart rate reserve (MHRR). Cycling leg work was adjusted in order to produce a constant 60% and 75% of MHRR during WW and NW sessions. The results revealed that during both exercises the cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic responses were similar. However, during the NW sessions lactic acid (LA) levels were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than those observed during WW sessions (3.2 +/- 0.9 and 5.4 +/- 1.5 mm.l-1, vs 2.9 +/- 0.9 and 3.8 +/- 1.3 mm.-1), as were ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) (13.2 +/- 1 and 14.4 +/- 0.6, vs 12.2 +/- 1 and 13.4 +/- 1.5). These data indicated a similar pattern of hemodynamic and respiratory responses to NW and WW cycling exercises, while LA and RPE were lower in WW cycling. It is therefore suggested that arm swing with wrist weights may be a beneficial mode of exercise, distributing the workload on a larger muscle mass while maintaining the target heart rate. Thus, it enables a lower reliance on anaerobic metabolism and a lower perceived exertion.

Doppler assessment of the effects of isometric stress on left ventricular filling in hypertensive young adults.

Doppler interrogation at the in-flow of the left ventricle was used to test the effects of isometric stress on ventricular filling in 7 hypertensive subjects with mild to moderate left ventricular hypertrophy, aged forty-two +/- seven years, compared with 9 matched healthy control males. In the hypertensive patients at rest, peak early diastolic (E) velocity was lower, and atrial (A) velocity higher, with lower E/A peak velocity ratios than in normals (p less than 0.05). These differences were more accentuated during isometric stress. Atrial filling fractions were higher in hypertensives (37 +/- 6%) than in normals (24 +/- 7%) at rest, p less than 0.05, and this difference increased during isometric stress (44 +/- 9% versus 30 +/- 11%). Thus, isometric stress accentuated the reliance of left ventricular filling on atrial contribution and may be applied for the detection of early ventricular filling abnormalities in patients with mild hypertension. The systolic blood pressure and the hypertrophic process were both important determinants of left ventricular diastolic filling.

Effect of body position on the afterload response during sustained exercise.

Hemodynamic and cardiovascular responses were studied in 80 males (age: 30 +/- 2 years) at rest, and during separate three minute trials of upright and supine isometric deadlift exercise at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). MVC did not differ significantly between supine and upright deadlift exercise. In comparison to values at rest, both forms of isometric exercise resulted in significant increases (p less than 0.05) in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse and double product. In the upright exercise, the values obtained for all of the physiological variables were found to be significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than in the supine exercise. These findings indicate that the upright isometric deadlift produces a higher after-load than the supine maneuver, and that this response may be a good indicator of cardiovascular functioning.