Key result
Elite female endurance runners show no difference in vascular function or morphology versus inactive controls.
Why the study?
While aerobic exercise generally benefits the vascular system, relative energy deficiency in sport makes this impact less clear in athletes.
Does elite long-distance running affect vascular function and morphology in healthy young women compared to inactive controls?
Cross-Sectional (n=33)
Does elite long-distance running affect vascular function and morphology in healthy young women compared to inactive controls?
Norwegian female elite long-distance runners have well-preserved vascular function and morphology comparable to inactive women of the same age.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Elite running preserves vascular function similarly to inactivity in young women; leaves open RED-S effects and requires prospective confirmation.
In general, aerobic exercise has a positive impact on the vascular system, but the syndrome of relative energy-deficiency in sports (RED-S) makes this impact less clear for the athlete. The present cross-sectional controlled study aimed to investigate the vascular function in female elite long-distance runners, compared to inactive women. Sixteen female elite long-distance runners and seventeen healthy controls were recruited. Assessments of vascular function and morphology included endothelial function, evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), vascular stiffness, evaluated with pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid artery reactivity (CAR %), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Blood samples included hormone analyses, metabolic parameters, lipids, and biomarkers reflecting endothelial activation. RED-S risk was assessed through the low energy availability in female questionnaire (LEAF-Q), and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We found no significant differences in brachial FMD, PWV, CAR %, cIMT, or biomarkers reflecting endothelial activation between the two groups. Forty-four percent of the runners had a LEAF-Q score consistent with being at risk of RED-S. Runners showed significantly higher HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity compared to controls. In conclusion, Norwegian female elite runners had an as good vascular function and morphology as inactive women of the same age.
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Kyte et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (elite runners vs inactive) (n=33). Elite long-distance running vs. Inactive lifestyle (maximum 2 hours endurance training weekly) was evaluated on Vascular function and morphology (including brachial FMD, PWV, CAR %, and cIMT). Elite female long-distance runners demonstrated well-preserved vascular function and morphology, with no significant differences in FMD, PWV, CAR %, or cIMT compared to inactive women.
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