This scoping review looked at how different types of physical activity affect heart function in male adults. The group included healthy individuals, athletes, older people, and those with cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 2,229 participants were analyzed to understand the impact of exercise, structured training, and lifelong physical activity on ventricular-arterial coupling. The researchers also examined arterial elastance and pulse wave velocity alongside global longitudinal strain.
The analysis showed that physically active and endurance-trained individuals generally had preserved or optimized ventricular-arterial coupling. Those who engaged in aerobic exercise demonstrated improved ventricular efficiency and reduced arterial load. During acute hemodynamic stress, the heart function remained relatively stable in these active groups.
However, the study has important limitations that must be considered. There was substantial heterogeneity in study designs, exercise contexts, and measurement techniques. No formal risk-of-bias assessment was performed, and methodological gaps exist within the available data. Because of these issues, causal inferences remain limited. Readers should view these findings as associations rather than proof of cause and effect.