Mechanical augmentation
All parameters with the exception of EDV significantly augmented after 5 minutes of exercise (table 2). EF increased by 13±7.2%, stroke volume by 22±17 %, GLS by 22±15% and septal S’ and lateral S’ by 52±24 and 61±27% respectively. At RER>1 only longitudinal velocities (systolic and diastolic, septal and lateral) continued to show statistically significant augmentation. All other parameters demonstrated an augmentation plateau (Table 2; Figure 1).