Reduced left ventricular (LV) function is common in tetraplegia, yet it is unknown whether intrinsic myocardial function is attenuated. This study examined the effect of SCI and exercise-training status on LV mechanics (intrinsic function) and LV systolic/diastolic function by comparing untrained (UT) and trained (TT) individuals with tetraplegia and able-bodied (AB) individuals. Individuals with tetraplegia had a traumatic, chronic, motor-complete cervical spinal cord injury. Nine UT males (40 ± 10 years), 8 TT males (30 ± 5 years), and nine AB males (37 ± 9 years) participated in the study. LV indices were assessed using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, with speckle-tracking analysis for the determination of LV mechanics. For systolic function, stroke volumes were lower in both UT (59 ± 9 mL; p < 0.001) and TT (63 ± 9 mL; p < 0.001) relative to AB (82 ± 11 mL), whereas systolic mechanics were similar across groups. Diastolic function was only reduced in UT, including a lower ratio of early-to-late transmitral filling velocity (1.55 ± 0.28) relative to TT (2.07 ± 0.42; p < 0.05) and AB (2.44 ± 0.61; p < 0.01) and longer isovolumetric relaxation times in UT (101 ± 7 ms) relative to TT (88 ± 11 ms; p < 0.05) and AB (85 ± 6 ms; p < 0.01). Diastolic mechanics (apical circumferential strain rate) were significantly enhanced in TT (3.03 ± 0.83 s–1) compared to AB (1.85 ± 0.65 s–1; p < 0.05). There was a trend (p = 0.062) for a between-group difference in apical radial diastolic strain rate (UT: −2.51 ± 0.83 s–1; TT: −3.92 ± 1.96 s–1; AB: −1.84 ± 0.46 s–1). In tetraplegia, attenuated LV systolic function is not attributed to intrinsic dysfunction, whereas exercise-training status appears to improve both global LV diastolic function and LV mechanics.
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