Cardiovascular diseases represent the first mortality cause in the world. Ageing is considered as the most prominent risk factor for this kind of diseases. Also, hypertension represents one of the modifiable risk factors. Blood pressure response to exercise is governed by three systems: central command, baroreflex, and a feedback mechanism originating in the skeletal muscle. An abnormal cardiovascular response to exercise facilitates the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The goal of the study is to characterize the cardiovascular response in lifelong trained individuals and explore the potential benefits of endurance and strength training on cardiovascular regulation to exercise onset.

Population ageing represents a problem both for health outcomes and for social dynamics in the social welfare states. Currently, the over 60 represents the fastest growing segment of the population. Despite a downward trend in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, they remain the main culprits for what concern mortality rates in the world. Increasing age is considered the major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality.

One of the main components of the cardiovascular response to exercise is dictated by the exercise pressor reflex originating in the exercising muscle and responding to metabolic and mechanical stimuli. Research indicates that at least 20% of the regulation of blood pressure could be ascribed to these cardiovascular reflexes. A dysfunctional reflex-mediated response increases the chances of cardiovascular events that may end up in severe consequences.

Chronic exercise training is recognized to be an important tool to control blood pressure. The mechanisms through which exercise exerts its effect are multiple. Among these, an improvement of the neural control of the reflex originating in the muscle seems a likely contributor. However, at present, the effect of chronic exercise training on the EPR response in the elderly has not been elucidated. The aim of the study is to characterize the central and peripheral cardiovascular response in the lifelong endurance and strength trained elders population.

Inclusion Criteria

General:

• Young: 18 - 30, males, non smokers
• Old Sedentary: 65 -75, males, non smokers
• Old Endurance Trained: 65 -75, males, non smokers
• Old Strength Trained: 65 - 75, males, non smokers

Exercise history (different for each group):

• Young: ≤ 5 h/week
• Old Sedentary: ≤ 2h/week
• Old Endurance Trained: ≥ 5 h/week, ≥ 30 years of practice, ≥ 4 sessions/week
• Old Strength Trained: ≥ 5 h/week, ≥ 30 years of practice, ≥ 4 sessions/week

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of cardiovascular events/diseases
• Respiratory, musculoskeletal, renal, and insulin-resistant diseases
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Use of beta-blockers
• BMI ≥ 30

Healthy population from different age groups and different exercise training history