Key result
Tennis training is linked to ~3.6% higher flow-mediated dilation versus non-athletic controls.
Why the study?
Differences in body composition and vascular function across different sport disciplines and non-athletic controls, as well as correlations between sport discipline and physiological indicators, remained to be explored.
Does sport-specific training (swimming, tennis, wrestling) improve body composition and vascular function in athletes compared to non-athlete controls?
Cross-Sectional (n=57)
No
Does sport-specific training (swimming, tennis, wrestling) improve body composition and vascular function in athletes compared to non-athlete controls?
Mean Difference: 3.6 (95% CI 2.03–5.18)
p-value: p=<0.001
Different sports induce specific physiological adaptations, with wrestlers presenting lower body fat and tennis players showing more favorable vascular elasticity and endothelial function.
Sport-specific differences in body fat and vascular function observed; leaves open causal effects of training type on athlete vascular health.
Objective This study aimed to explore cross-sectional differences in body composition and vascular function across swimmers, tennis players, wrestlers and non-athletic controls, and to analyse correlations between sport discipline and physiological indicators. Methods Fifty-seven participants were recruited, including 13 swimmers, 14 tennis players, 16 wrestlers, and 14 non-athlete controls. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 370). Vascular function was evaluated via flow-mediated dilation (FMD), brachial-ankle and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (baPWV, cfPWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and central hemodynamic parameters (CSBP, CPP, AIx@75, SEVR) using ultrasonic endothelial analysis and pulse wave velocity systems. Results Athletes exhibited significantly lower body fat mass and percentage compared to non-athletes ( p < 0.01–0.001), with wrestlers showing the most pronounced fat reduction. Central pulse pressure (CPP) and heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75) were significantly lower, and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) significantly higher, in all athlete groups vs. controls ( p < 0.05–0.001). Tennis players demonstrated significantly higher FMD ( p < 0.001) and lower cfPWV ( p < 0.01) than non-athletes, and outperformed swimmers and wrestlers in FMD ( p < 0.01). CPP correlated positively with body fat mass, BMI, and body fat percentage ( p < 0.05–0.001). Conclusion Athletes participating in different sports display divergent body composition and vascular phenotypes. Wrestlers tend to present lower body fat, whereas tennis athletes show more favourable vascular elasticity and endothelial function. These cross-sectional association findings provide reference for personalized exercise prescription formulation.
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Fan et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy athletes and non-athletes (n=57). Sport discipline (Tennis) vs. Non-athletic controls was evaluated on Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (MD 3.60, 95% CI 2.03-5.18, p=<0.001). Tennis participation was independently associated with significantly higher flow-mediated dilation (MD 3.60) compared to non-athletic controls, indicating more favorable vascular endothelial function.
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