Abstract
Abstract
Aims
Ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) reflects the integrative interaction between cardiac function and arterial load and is a key determinant of cardiovascular efficiency. Endurance training is associated with favourable adaptations in both ventricular and arterial properties, but comprehensive comparisons of VAC between endurance-trained athletes and sedentary individuals remain limited. This study aimed to compare VAC and related cardiovascular characteristics between physically active and sedentary adult men.
Methods and results
In this cross-sectional study, 66 healthy men (33 physically active, 33 sedentary; mean age 43.6 ± 4.5 years) underwent assessment of haemodynamics, metabolic profile, echocardiography, arterial stiffness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. VAC was evaluated using a Pulse wave velocity / Global longitudinal strain (PWV/GLS) and arterial elastance / end systolic elastance (Ea/Ees) ratio.
Results
Physically active participants exhibited lower resting heart rate, lower brachial and central diastolic blood pressure, and a more favourable metabolic profile, including higher HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides and glucose (all
p
p
p
= 0.047), whereas Ea/Ees showed a non-significant trend towards lower values.
Conclusions
Endurance-trained adults display a more favorable cardiovascular phenotype at rest, characterized by lower arterial stiffness and improved ventriculo-arterial coupling. These findings support the concept that long-term endurance training promotes efficient cardiovascular integration.