Exercise training improves cardiac function postinfarction: special emphasis on recent controversies on na+/ca2+ exchanger.

Exercise training instituted after myocardial infarction improves many steps involved in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Focusing on Na/Caexchange, current controversies regarding whether it mediates Cainflux during an action potential, whether it is increased or decreased in disease models, whether protein kinase A alters its activity, and whether exercise training affects its function are reviewed. Finally, a novel target for exercise training in the heart is suggested. Copyright 2004 American College of Sports Medicine