Enhanced endothelial vasoreactivity in endurance-trained older men

Using external vascular ultrasound, we measured brachial artery diameter (Diam) at rest, after release of 4 min of limb ischemia, i.e., endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD), and after sublingual nitroglycerin, i.e., non-endothelium-dependent dilation (NonEDD), in 35 healthy men aged 61–83 yr: 12 endurance athletes (A) and 23 controls (C). As anticipated, treadmill exercise maximal oxygen consumption (V˙o 2 max ) was significantly higher in A...