Different methods, but both strengthen the heart
It's a well-known fact that exercise can strengthen your heart. But researchers have been curious about the specific how's and why's, so they designed a study to get a little closer to the heart of the matter.
This study uncovered that just 90 days of heavy athletic training prompts major changes in the structure and functioning capability of your heart.
The researchers used an ultrasound that looks at the heart's structure and function, called an echocardiograph, performing one at the start of the study and another as a follow-up to the three-month period. Participants were divided up between endurance activities (such as rowing) and strength training drills.
Echocardiograph results showed that both groups experienced significant boosts to the size of their hearts. The endurance group saw an increase to both ventricles of the heart, which are responsible for pumping blood into the lungs and the circulation system. With the strength-training group, the heart muscle itself thickened just in the left ventricle, which pumps blood into the circulation system.
Also, the endurance athletes experienced greater relaxation in their heart muscles between beats, while the strength group registered a slight decrease, though not below what was considered normal.
Naturally, these differences are fodder for future study with an eye toward helping patients who are trying to cope with heart disease. One researcher speculated that depending on the type of heart disease you have, there may be a specific program you could follow to boost your heart's strength.
That's called "individualized medicine," and it is music to my ears.
In the meantime, work closely with your doctor to design an exercise regiment that will help boost your heart strength — a little exercise now can prevent a lot of problems later.
