THE FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE METABOLITES IN HIGH SKILLED CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS WITH HYPERTENSIVE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE

Abstract

Aim: The paper aims to identify changes in nitric oxide under exercise in high skilled cross-country skiers with normotensive and hypertensive response to maximal exercise. Materials and methods. The sample involved cross-country skiers (22.2 ± 7.1 years, n = 107). All athletes performed the bicycle  ergometer test until fatigue. The following data were obtained: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, nitrite and nitrate levels. Results. During the bicycle ergometer test, there were no significant changes in nitric oxide metabolite levels in hypertensive athletes compared to normotensive athletes (p < 0.05). It was found that nitrite was the main biochemical parameter in hypertensive skiers in terms of vascular regulation, while nitrate was responsible for vascular regulation in normotensive skiers. Conclusion. Blood nitric oxide measurements during maximal exercise can be considered a non-invasive test that helps in the early diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction in high skilled cross-country skiers.