Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in Endurance-Trained Athletes and Sedentary Adults

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 < 0.01). Peak oxygen consumption was markedly higher in physically active individuals ( p < 0.001). Cardiac assessment revealed higher stroke volume, greater indexed myocardial mass, and more favorable diastolic function (higher E/A and lower E/E′) in the physically active group. PWV/GLS was significantly lower in physically active individuals ( 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.