title: A systematic review of resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and adaptation in elite weightlifters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This review aims to establish what effect weightlifting has on the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricular (LV).
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed; ISI Web of Knowledge; Cochrane Library and Ovid Medline were searched in February 2012 to find literature on the effect of weightlifting on the LV cardiac function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stroke volume, posterior wall thickness and ventricular filling time and rate were seen to increase. A decrease in the resting heart rate was seen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood pressure and LV morphological changes were equivocal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weightlifting causes recognizable functional change to the LV, some of these changes may confer benefits such as improvements in the systolic function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Discrepancies exist with regard to regional LV morphological change, as the evidence suggests the LV does not adapt in a homogenous manner. Attempts should be made to separate performance-enhancing drug users from those who compete drug free.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sports & Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DG, UK.
authors.forename: Hardev
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dhamu
authors.forename: Pete
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malliaras
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Twycross-Lewis
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult