Conclusions
In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that cardiovascular rehabilitation after an uncomplicated AMI, through a supervised program of 16 weeks of physical exercise, would have a positive impact on the LV contraction mechanics. Despite the known benefits of exercise in the overall health of practicing individuals, there was no significant improvement in the LV longitudinal, radial and circumferential deformation parameters. However, exercise had a significant impact on the LV torsional mechanics, particularly composed of reduced basal rotation, twist velocity, torsion and torsional velocity. This outcome can be interpreted as a ”LV torsional reserve” in individuals who exercised in post-AMI, possibly a physiologically more efficient torsional mechanics emerging from routine physical exercise.