Effects of Chronic Exercise on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Microparticles in Professional Runners.

Background: The effects of chronic exposure to exercise training on vascular biomarkers have been poorly explored.

Objective: Our study aimed to compare the amounts of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and endothelial (EMP) and platelet (PMP) microparticles between professional runners and healthy controls.

Methods: Twenty-five half-marathon runners and 24 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in the study.

Effects of High-Intensity Training of Professional Runners on Myocardial Hypertrophy and Subclinical Atherosclerosis.

To evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to high-intensity training among professional runners on cardiac hypertrophy and subclinical atherosclerosis. Prospective study included runners of both sexes (n = 52) and age and gender matched controls (n = 57), without classical cardiovascular risk factors. Ventricular hypertrophy was quantified by echocardiography by linear method and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) by 2-D images obtained by ultrasonography.