Relationships between maximal oxygen uptake and endothelial function in healthy male adults: a preliminary study

Abstract

Aerobic capacity, as indicated by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) has an important role in contrasting the traditional cardiovascular risk factors and preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is known that endothelial function, measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, is strictly linked to atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk. However, the relationship between VO2 max and FMD has not been fully investigated especially in healthy non-obese subjects. This preliminary study cross-sectionally investigated the relationship between VO2 max and FMD in 22 non-obese, healthy sedentary male subjects. Dividing the cohort in two subgroups of 11 subjects each according to the median value of VO2 max, the FMD was significantly lower in the subgroup with lower VO2 max (mean ± sem: 7.1 ± 0.7 vs. 9.5 ± 0.8 %; P = 0.035). Absolute VO2 max (mL min(-1)) was significantly and independently correlated with body fat mass (r = -0.50; P = 0.018) and with FMD (r = 0.44; P = 0.039). This preliminary study suggests that maximal oxygen uptake is independently correlated with endothelial function in healthy non-obese adults. These results are also in agreement with the possibility that improving maximal oxygen uptake may have a favorable effect on endothelial function and vice versa.

High Intensity Training Improves Health and Physical Function in Middle Aged Adults

“…In a middle aged population there is a decline in VO 2 peak [1], increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Further there is a positive relationship between VO 2 peak and endothelial function in non-obese males [32]. The underlying mechanisms for improvement in VO 2 peak following HIT are poorly understood.…”

Endurance Capacity Is Not Correlated with Endothelial Function in Male University Students

“…However, in those studies which showed the positive relationship between FMD and VO 2 max, different age groups or subjects within big age span had been compared. Age heterogeneity of the subjects might be the reason why positive results were found in these studies [8], [9]. In fact, Franzoni et al reported FMD correlated with age inversely and correlated with VO 2 max coincidently.…”

“…The authors reckoned the improvement of endothelial function implicated the beneficial therapeutic property of statin in increment of VO 2 max [10]. It has been demonstrated that FMD correlated with VO 2 max in healthy adults and the elderly [8], [9], and the value of FMD of the older athletes was comparable with that of the sedentary young group. These results suggested that keeping endothelial function in steady status should benefit well-conditioning cardiovascular fitness.…”

“…Recently, a study demonstrated that there's a linear relationship between maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max), a good indicator of cardiovascular fitness, and endothelial function measured as flow-meditated vasodilation (FMD) in brachial artery of healthy male adults [8]. Compared with the sedentary elderly, regular physical activities improved the elderly athletes' FMD and VO 2 max [9].…”

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Suppresses Age‐Related Arterial Stiffening in Healthy Adults: A 2‐Year Longitudinal Observational Study

“…Therefore, maintaining a higher CRF may directly influence the progression of baPWV. The endurance‐trained state is associated with an elevated overall content of elastin, reduced calcium content, reduced formation of advanced glycation end products and collagen cross‐linking in the arterial wall, and improved endothelial function . Thus, habitual exercise and a higher fitness level are thought to decrease arterial stiffness by preventing arterial remodeling and dysfunction.…”