The Effects of Aging and Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Structure and Function

About this Seminar

Presenting a range of data regarding the effects of aging and physical activity on cardiovascular structure and function, Dr. Levine will discuss how the heart exhibits substantial morphologic and functional plasticity in response to physical activity. The heart atrophies/stiffens with age and physical inactivity, such as with bedrest or spaceflight; some aspects of this process may be prevented by lifelong training at the right dose.  The heart of the senior athlete, with a lifelong pattern of intensive training, is equivalent to that of healthy 30-year-olds, and their large blood vessels have a biological age ~30 years younger than their chronological age. There is a “sweet spot” in late middle age during which the heart and large blood vessels may still retain plasticity to respond to training. This is the ideal time to intervene, especially in high-risk patients, and may be a useful strategy to prevent age-related diseases such as HFpEF.

Additional Details

This is a free event hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and co-sponsored by the institute's Center for Exercise Medicine Research. The Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series, which runs annually from September to May, has featured leading biomedical researchers from throughout the country since the program began in 2012. The lectures are also open to all members of the Virginia Tech community including graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff, as well as the public.

You May Also Be Interested In...