The characteristic of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in athletes and untrained volunteers

Abstract

Relevance. It is shown that strength-trained athletes and track and field athletes have endothelial dysfunction. However the vascular endothelium activity is not related to the type of physical exercises. The aim of the study is to characterize the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in athletes and untrained persons during the physical activity. Apparently, it can be the adaptive response to regular high-intensity physical exercises or a risk factor for acute vascular disorders. Materials and methods. The study involved 27 young man aged 18 to 25 years. None of the subjects had acute or chronic pathologies and cardiovascular disorders in their anamneses. This study employed three groups of young men: Group 1: elite endurance-trained athletes – track and field (middle-distance running) (N = 10). Group 2: elite strength-trained athletes – weightlifting (N = 7). Group 3: control group – healthy untrained volunteers (N = 10). A Doppler study was performed using the Angiodin-PC. We also carried out background measurement of blood flow indicators in the brachial artery during exercise, and did an occlusive test. Results. In athletes of high qualification, the functional activity of the endothelium is inhibited, and these changes are not related to the nature and direction of physical exertion. At the same time, a single physical exercise of a dynamic nature potentiates the vasodilatation function of the endothelium in all the examined groups.