Urinary Excretion of Nitric Oxide Metabolites in Runners, Sedentary Individuals and Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Effects of 42 km Marathon, 15 km Race and a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

The baseline urinary excretion of NO metabolites increases with increasing levels of physical activity (chronic aerobic exercise). Patients with CAD had lowest levels of urinary NO metabolites and these increased in direct proportion with the gain in functional capacity. These findings suggest that increased NO production may be a major adaptive mechanism by which chronic aerobic exercise training benefits the cardiovascular system. The marked increase in NO production induced by long-term, high levels of aerobic exercise may be protective in athletes undertaking strenuous levels of exercise.