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Examining sex differences in the ventricular-vascular responses to exercise

Exercise and physical activity are important for preventing cardiovascular disease. Since males and females have different cardiovascular characteristics and disease progression, it is crucial to study how exercise impacts the heart differently between sexes. Structurally, males have larger hearts than females, but the functional differences are less explored. Additionally, when looking at the vascular system, females tend to have lower baseline blood pressure and lower arterial stiffness compared to males. There is a dearth of literature that highlights how exercise impacts both the heart and arteries in isolation, particularly in males, but few studies examine how exercise affects how these structures work together. Therefore, my thesis investigates the cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in males and females using novel imaging approaches, addressing current gaps in knowledge. Using echocardiography, structural and functional adaptations in adolescents and young males and females were measured. My first study highlighted the current literature on the impact that detraining has on the structure of the heart. My second study examined the variability of the established British Columbia Children’s Hospital (BCCH) aortic pulse wave velocity technique. My last two studies used the BCCH and other imaging techniques to identify exercise-induced cardiovascular structure and function using longitudinal and cross-sectional designs. This research contributes to our understanding of sex differences and/or similarities in how the heart adapts to exercise that is important for informing optimal prevention and treatment strategies for both sexes, promoting long-term well-being.