Endothelial function in highly endurance-trained men: effects of acute exercise
Oivind Rognmo1, Tor Halvor Bjørnstad, Christian Kahrs
1Faculty of Medicine and Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|June 14, 2008
Summary
Highly endurance-trained men show increased nitric oxide bioavailability and antioxidant status post-exercise compared to sedentary individuals. This suggests enhanced vascular function and recovery capacity in athletes following high-intensity exercise.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Endothelial Function
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is often reversed by exercise training, but its impact on young, healthy individuals requires further investigation.
- Understanding the effects of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and acute exercise on vascular markers is crucial for assessing athletic adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the influence of VO2max and a single bout of high-intensity exercise on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), brachial artery diameter, peak blood flow, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, and antioxidant status.
- To compare these effects between highly endurance-trained men and their sedentary counterparts.
Main Methods:
- Participants included ten male athletes (VO2max 75.9 mL.kg.min) and seven healthy controls (VO2max 47.7 mL.kg.min).
- Measurements of FMD, brachial artery diameter, and peak blood flow were taken using echo-Doppler before and at 1, 24, and 48 hours after a high-intensity interval running session.
- NO bioavailability and antioxidant status in blood were assessed at the same time points.
Main Results:
- Athletes exhibited larger maximal arterial diameter and peak blood flow (10-35% greater) than controls at all time points.
- Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was similar between groups, except for a transient decrease in athletes 1 hour post-exercise.
- Nitric oxide bioavailability significantly increased post-exercise in both groups, with athletes maintaining elevated levels for 48 hours, while controls returned to baseline after 24 hours.
- Antioxidant status increased by approximately 10% in both groups 1 hour post-exercise, lasting for 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Highly trained athletes possess a greater capacity for blood transport compared to untrained individuals, indicated by larger arterial diameter.
- While FMD is similar, athletes demonstrate a more sustained increase in nitric oxide bioavailability and antioxidant status following high-intensity exercise, suggesting enhanced vascular recovery and adaptation.
- The observed vascular responses (FMD, NO bioavailability, antioxidant status) are time-dependent following exercise sessions.
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