Most diagnostic applications of Doppler tissue echocardiography rely on peak (Pk) velocity (V) values of single variables or myocardial V gradient. Whereas age-related changes in diastolic V are well-known, previous Doppler tissue echocardiography studies of systolic function showed no age effect for pre-ejectional (Ej) isovolumic (PEI) and Ej inward wall motion Pk V. In addition to myocardial V gradient, ratios were calculated between PEI and Ej Pk V, and mean V averaged over systole (PEI/Ej V ratios) at each layer of the posterior wall using M-mode color on two control groups: A (27 +/- 5 years) and B (54 +/- 10 years). The only changes were for PEI/Ej V ratios (mean V endocardial 21 +/- 7% vs 34 +/- 20%, P = .01; mean V epicardial 27 +/- 8% vs 40 +/- 18%, P = .006; Pk epicardial V 21 +/- 10% vs 30 +/- 16%, P = .04 for groups A and B, respectively). Correlation versus age were r = 0.52 and P = .005 (mean V endocardial), r = 0.50 and P = .007 (mean V epicardial), and r = 0.32 and P = .03 (Pk epicardial V). PEI/Ej V ratios and mean V studied in separate layers showed that the new systolic approach had advantages over single variable or Pk V to study age-related changes.