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Several studies report neurological complications such as brain injury induced by ischemia or edema following exhaustive endurance sport. We aimed to detect the frequency of acute brain lesions after a marathon race. In the prospective observational Berlin Beat of Running study, 110 experienced endurance athletes underwent 3-Tesla brain MRI exams 2-3 days prior and within 2 days after a marathon run. MRI results were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of 68 non-athletes, including the "Age-Related White Matter Changes" (ARWMC) scale to assess white matter lesions (WML) in the brain. 108 athletes (median age 48 years, 24% female, 8% with hypertension; 0% with diabetes) completed the race. No athlete reported neurological deficits, but a single acute ischemic lesion was detected in diffusion-weighted MRI after the race in one athlete. No other acute brain lesions compared to prior MRI were found. An ARWMC score ≥4 was found in 15% of athletes and 12% of non-athletic controls (p=0.7). Chronic ischemic lesions were not found in athletes but in four controls (6%) (p=0.02). In conclusion, acute ischemic brain lesions may be found in endurance runners. Every seventh endurance athlete and every ninth control showed evidence for substantial white matter lesions.
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Conducta Competitiva/fisiología , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Sustancia Blanca/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto , Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiología , Berlin/epidemiología , Isquemia Encefálica/epidemiología , Imagen de Difusión por Resonancia Magnética , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios ProspectivosRESUMEN
This study investigates the effects of fitness changes on hippocampal microstructure and hippocampal volume. Fifty-two healthy participants aged 59-74years with a sedentary lifestyle were randomly assigned to either of two levels of exercise intensity. Training lasted for six months. Physical fitness, hippocampal volumes, and hippocampal microstructure were measured before and after training. Hippocampal microstructure was assessed by mean diffusivity, which inversely reflects tissue density; hence, mean diffusivity is lower for more densely packed tissue. Mean changes in fitness did not differ reliably across intensity levels of training, so data were collapsed across groups. Multivariate modeling of pretest-posttest differences using structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that individual differences in latent change were reliable for all three constructs. More positive changes in fitness were associated with more positive changes in tissue density (i.e., more negative changes in mean diffusivity), and more positive changes in tissue density were associated with more positive changes in volume. We conclude that fitness-related changes in hippocampal volume may be brought about by changes in tissue density. The relative contributions of angiogenesis, gliogenesis, and/or neurogenesis to changes in tissue density remain to be identified.
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Envejecimiento/patología , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Hipocampo/citología , Hipocampo/fisiología , Acondicionamiento Físico Humano/métodos , Aptitud Física/fisiología , Anciano , Mapeo Encefálico/métodos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Plasticidad Neuronal/fisiología , Tamaño de los Órganos/fisiología , Conducta SedentariaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Participation of amateur runners in endurance races continues to increase. Previous studies of marathon runners have raised concerns about exercise-induced myocardial and renal dysfunction and damage. In our pooled analysis, we aimed to characterize changes of cardiac and renal function after marathon running in a large cohort of mostly elderly amateur marathon runners. METHODS: A total of 167 participants of the Berlin-Marathon (female n = 89, male n = 78; age = 50.3 ± 11.4 years) were included and cardiac and renal function was analyzed prior to, immediately after and 2 weeks following the race by echocardiography and blood tests (including cardiac troponin T, NT-proBNP and cystatin C). RESULTS: Among the runners, 58% exhibited a significant increase in cardiac biomarkers after completion of the marathon. Overall, the changes in echocardiographic parameters for systolic or diastolic left and right ventricular function did not indicate relevant myocardial dysfunction. Notably, 30% of all participants showed >25% decrease in cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from baseline directly after the marathon; in 8%, we observed a decline of more than 50%. All cardiac and renal parameters returned to baseline ranges within 2 weeks after the marathon. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in cardiac biomarkers after completing a marathon was not accompanied by relevant cardiac dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography. After the race, a high proportion of runners experienced a decrease in cystatin C-estimated GFR, which is suggestive of transient, exercise-related alteration of renal function. However, we did not observe persistent detrimental effects on renal function.
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Ecocardiografía/métodos , Ventrículos Cardíacos/diagnóstico por imagen , Riñón/fisiología , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Función Ventricular Izquierda/fisiología , Anciano , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Estudios de Cohortes , Pruebas de Función Cardíaca , Humanos , Pruebas de Función Renal , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Aptitud Física/fisiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk. There is concern that Marathon running might acutely damage the heart. It is unknown to what extent intensive physical endurance activity influences the cardiac mechanics at resting condition. METHODS: Eighty-four amateur marathon runners (43 women and 41 men) from Berlin-Brandenburg area who had completed at least one marathon previously underwent clinical examination and echocardiography at least 10 days before the Berlin Marathon at rest. Standard transthoracic echocardiography and 2D strain and strain rate analysis were performed. The 2D Strain and strain rate values were compared to previous published data of healthy untrained individuals. RESULTS: The average global longitudinal peak systolic strain of the left ventricle was -23 +/- 2% with peak systolic strain rate -1.39 +/- 0.21/s, early diastolic strain rate 2.0 +/- 0.40/s and late diastolic strain rate 1.21 +/- 0.31/s. These values are significantly higher compared to the previous published values of normal age-adjusted individuals. In addition, no age-related decline of longitudinal contractility in well-trained athletes was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is increased overall longitudinal myocardial contractility at rest in experienced endurance athletes compared to the published normal values in the literature indicating a preserved and even supra-normal contractility in the athletes. There is no age dependent decline of the longitudinal 2D Strain values. This underlines the beneficial effects of regular physical exercise even in advanced age.
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Ecocardiografía/métodos , Diagnóstico por Imagen de Elasticidad/métodos , Ventrículos Cardíacos/diagnóstico por imagen , Contracción Miocárdica/fisiología , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Función Ventricular Izquierda/fisiología , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Módulo de Elasticidad/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Estrés MecánicoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke. However, data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias or (clinically silent) brain lesions during and after marathon running are missing. METHODS/DESIGN: In the prospective observational "Berlin Beat of Running" study experienced endurance athletes underwent clinical examination (CE), 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound imaging (CUI) and serial blood sampling (BS) within 2-3 days prior (CE, MRI, CUI, BS), directly after (CE, BS) and within 2 days after (CE, MRI, BS) the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. All participants wore a portable electrocardiogram (ECG)-recorder throughout the 4 to 5 days baseline study period. Participants with pathological MRI findings after the marathon, troponin elevations or detected cardiac arrhythmias will be asked to undergo cardiac MRI to rule out structural abnormalities. A follow-up is scheduled after one year. RESULTS: Here we report the baseline data of the enrolled 110 athletes aged 36-61 years. Their mean age was 48.8 ± 6.0 years, 24.5% were female, 8.2% had hypertension and 2.7% had hyperlipidaemia. Participants have attended a mean of 7.5 ± 6.6 marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16 ± 36 marathon races in total. Their weekly running distance prior to the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was 65 ± 17 km. Finally, 108 (98.2%) Berlin Beat-Study participants successfully completed the 38th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. DISCUSSION: Findings from the "Berlin Beats of Running" study will help to balance the benefits and risks of extensive endurance sport. ECG-recording during the marathon might contribute to identify athletes at risk for cardiovascular events. MRI results will give new insights into the link between physical stress and brain damage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01428778.
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Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiología , Infarto Cerebral/epidemiología , Resistencia Física , Proyectos de Investigación , Carrera , Adulto , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Asintomáticas , Biomarcadores/sangre , Infarto Cerebral/diagnóstico , Electrocardiografía Ambulatoria , Femenino , Alemania/epidemiología , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Estudios Prospectivos , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de Riesgo , Factores de Tiempo , Troponina/sangreRESUMEN
Background Acute vascular effects of high intensity physical activity are incompletely characterized. Circulating microparticles are cellular markers for vascular activation and damage. Methods Microparticles were analysed in 99 marathon runners (49 ± 6 years, 22% female) of the prospective Berlin Beat of Running study. Blood samples were taken within three days before, immediately after and within two days after the marathon run. Endothelial-derived microparticles were labelled with CD144, CD31 and CD62E, platelet-derived microparticles with CD62P and CD42b, leukocyte-derived microparticles with CD45 and monocyte-derived microparticles with CD14. Results Marathon running induced leukocytosis (5.9 ± 0.1 to 14.8 ± 0.3 109/l, p < 0.0001) and increased platelet counts (239 ± 4.6 to 281 ± 5.9 109/l, p < 0.0001) immediately after the marathon. Blood monocytes increased and lymphocytes decreased after the run ( p < 0.0001). Endothelial-derived microparticles were acutely increased ( p = 0.008) due to a 23% increase of apoptotic endothelial-derived microparticles ( p = 0.007) and returned to baseline within two days after the marathon. Thrombocyte-derived microparticles acutely increased by 38% accompanied by an increase in activated and apoptotic thrombocyte-derived microparticles ( p ≤ 0.0001) each. Both monocyte- and leukocyte-derived microparticles were decreased immediately after marathon run ( p < 0.0001) and remained below baseline until day 2. Troponin T increased from 12 to 32 ng/l ( p < 0.0001) immediately after the run and returned to baseline after two days. Conclusion Circulating apoptotic endothelial- and thrombocyte-derived microparticles increased after marathon running consistent with an acute pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state. Exercise-induced vascular damage reflected by microparticles could indicate potential mechanisms of post-exertional cardiovascular complications. Further studies are warranted to investigate microparticles as markers to identify individuals prone to such complications.
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Apoptosis , Plaquetas/patología , Micropartículas Derivadas de Células/patología , Células Endoteliales/patología , Resistencia Física , Aptitud Física , Carrera , Adulto , Biomarcadores/sangre , Plaquetas/metabolismo , Micropartículas Derivadas de Células/metabolismo , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Femenino , Alemania , Humanos , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Neural specificity refers to the degree to which neural representations of different stimuli can be distinguished. Evidence suggests that neural specificity, operationally defined as stimulus-related differences in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation patterns, declines with advancing adult age, and that individual differences in neural specificity are associated with individual differences in fluid intelligence. A growing body of literature also suggests that regular physical activity may help preserve cognitive abilities in old age. Based on this literature, we hypothesized that exercise-induced improvements in fitness would be associated with greater neural specificity among older adults. A total of 52 adults aged 59-74 years were randomly assigned to one of two aerobic-fitness training regimens, which differed in intensity. Participants in both groups trained three times a week on stationary bicycles. In the low-intensity (LI) group, the resistance was kept constant at a low level (10 Watts). In the high-intensity (HI) group, the resistance depended on participants' heart rate and therefore typically increased with increasing fitness. Before and after the 6-month training phase, participants took part in a functional MRI experiment in which they viewed pictures of faces and buildings. We used multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to estimate the distinctiveness of neural activation patterns in ventral visual cortex (VVC) evoked by face or building stimuli. Fitness was also assessed before and after training. In line with our hypothesis, training-induced changes in fitness were positively associated with changes in neural specificity. We conclude that physical activity may protect against age-related declines in neural specificity.
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OBJECTIVES: While regular physical exercise has many health benefits, strenuous physical exercise may have a negative impact on cardiac function. The 'Berlin Beat of Running' study focused on feasibility and diagnostic value of continuous ECG monitoring in recreational endurance athletes during a marathon race. We hypothesised that cardiac arrhythmias and especially atrial fibrillation are frequently found in a cohort of recreational endurance athletes. The main secondary hypothesis was that pathological laboratory findings in these athletes are (in part) associated with cardiac arrhythmias. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study including healthy volunteers. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and nine experienced marathon runners wore a portable ECG recorder during a marathon race in Berlin, Germany. Athletes underwent blood tests 2-3 days prior, directly after and 1-2 days after the race. RESULTS: Overall, 108 athletes (median 48 years (IQR 45-53), 24% women) completed the marathon in 249±43 min. Blinded ECG analysis revealed abnormal findings during the marathon in 18 (16.8%) athletes. Ten (9.3%) athletes had at least one episode of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, one of whom had atrial fibrillation; eight (7.5%) individuals showed transient ST-T-segment deviations. Abnormal ECG findings were associated with advanced age (OR 1.11 per year, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23), while sex and cardiovascular risk profile had no impact. Directly after the race, high-sensitive troponin T was elevated in 18 (16.7%) athletes and associated with ST-T-segment deviation (OR 9.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 51.5), while age, sex and cardiovascular risk profile had no impact. CONCLUSIONS: ECG monitoring during a marathon is feasible. Abnormal ECG findings were present in every sixth athlete. Exercise-induced transient ST-T-segment deviations were associated with elevated high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT) values. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01428778; Results.
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Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiología , Sistema de Conducción Cardíaco/fisiopatología , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Factores de Edad , Arritmias Cardíacas/sangre , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Atletas , Fibrilación Atrial/sangre , Fibrilación Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilación Atrial/epidemiología , Berlin , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/sangre , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/fisiopatología , Electrocardiografía , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Monitoreo Ambulatorio , Oportunidad Relativa , Estudios Prospectivos , Recreación , Factores de Riesgo , Troponina T/sangreRESUMEN
Scaling analysis of heart rate time series has emerged as a useful tool for the assessment of autonomic cardiac control. We investigate the heart rate time series of ten athletes (five males and five females), by applying detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). High resolution ECGs are recorded under standardized resting conditions over 30 min and subsequently heart rate time series are extracted and artifacts filtered. We find three distinct regions of scale invariance, which correspond to the well-known VLF, LF and HF bands in the power spectra of heart rate variability. The scaling exponents alpha are alpha(HF): 1.15 [0.96-1.22], alpha(LF): 0.68 [0.57-0.84], alpha(VLF): 0.83[0.82-0.99], p < 10(-5)). In conclusion, DFA scaling exponents of heart rate time series should be fitted to the VLF, LF and HF ranges, respectively.
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Algoritmos , Diagnóstico por Computador/métodos , Electrocardiografía/métodos , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Corazón/fisiología , Modelos Cardiovasculares , Deportes/fisiología , Adulto , Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/fisiología , Simulación por Computador , Femenino , Corazón/inervación , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Estadísticos , Análisis Numérico Asistido por Computador , Descanso/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects regulatory processes of the cardiovascular system and reveals fractal characteristics. In this paper we investigated standard HRV parameters and scaling characteristics in ten athletes before, during, and after a 2-week training camp to assess the effects of short-term overtraining on cardiovascular control. High-resolution ECGs were recorded over 30 min under resting conditions 1 week before the training camp, after 1 week of training in the camp, and after 3-4 days of recovery. Standard HRV analysis was performed according to Task Force recommendations. Scaling characteristics were assessed, applying detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Standard HRV analysis showed significant changes in meanNN and rmssd during the training camp. DFA revealed three distinct regions of scale-invariance and significant alterations during the training camp. In conclusion, HRV might be used to monitor the training state in athletes.
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Electrocardiografía/métodos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Esfuerzo Físico/fisiología , Aptitud Física/fisiología , Deportes/fisiología , Adaptación Fisiológica/fisiología , Adulto , Algoritmos , Diagnóstico por Computador/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Diastolic dysfunction is common among elderly women. Recently, concerns regarding marathon-induced myocardial damage were raised among young male runners. The goal of our study was to assess the impact of marathon running on systolic and diastolic ventricular function before and immediately after completing a marathon among postmenopausal well-trained amateur women. METHODS: A total of 89 female runners of the Berlin Marathon were included (35 postmenopausal and 54 premenopausal female controls) and examined before, immediately, and 2 weeks after the race by echocardiography (including tissue Doppler- and 2D strain speckle tracking) and underwent blood tests. RESULTS: After the marathon, there was a significant increase in E/E' (postmenopausal 8.5 ± 2.3 vs. 10.9 ± 3.2 post race; control: 8.1 ± 1.8 vs. 9.9 ± 2.9 post race, p < 0.001) and a decrease in E/A in both groups (postmenopausal 1.3 ± 0.36 vs. 0.9 ± 0.21 post race; control 1.7 ± 0.6 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3; p < 0.001). In contrast, regardless of the hormonal status the atrial contraction increased significantly. Left and right ventricular systolic contractility, as assessed by speckle tracking and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler velocities, showed a significant increase in both groups. Of all runners, 55 (61.8%) experienced increases in troponin T and/or N-terminal-B-type natriuretic peptide after the race. All echocardiographic and laboratory parameters returned to normal within 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: 2D strain analysis of the left and right ventricles showed an acute improvement of the systolic function after marathon running in pre- and postmenopausal well-trained women. There were no long lasting detrimental effects on the diastolic function.
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Diástole/fisiología , Ecocardiografía/métodos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Posmenopausia/fisiología , Carrera/fisiología , Función Ventricular Izquierda/fisiología , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores/sangre , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Péptido Natriurético Encefálico/sangre , Salud de la MujerRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate training induced metabolic changes noninvasively with (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) for measuring muscle fibre type adaptation. METHODS: Eleven volunteers underwent a 24-week training, consisting of speed-strength, endurance, and detraining (each 8 weeks). Prior to and following each training period, needle biopsies and (31)P-MRS of the resting gastrocnemius muscle were performed. Fibre type distribution was analyzed histologically and tested for correlation with the ratios of high energy phosphates ([PCr]/[P(i)], [PCr]/[ßATP] and [PCr + P(i)]/[ßATP]). The correlation between the changes of the (31)P-MRS parameters during training and the resulting changes in fibre composition were also analysed. RESULTS: We observed an increased type-II-fibre proportion after speed-strength and detraining. After endurance training the percentage of fast-twitch fibres was reduced. The progression of the [PCr]/[P(i)]-ratio was similar to that of the fast-twitch fibres during the training. We found a correlation between the type-II-fibre proportion and [PCr]/[P(i)] (r = 0.70, P < 0.01) or [PCr]/[ßATP] (r = 0.69, P < 0.01); the correlations between its changes (delta) and the fibre-shift were significant as well (delta[PCr]/[P(i)] r = 0.66, delta[PCr]/[ßATP] r = 0.55, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Shifts in fibre type composition and high energy phosphate metabolite content covary in human gastrocnemius muscle. Therefore (31)P-MRS might be a feasible method for noninvasive monitoring of exercise-induced fibre type transformation.
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Adaptación Fisiológica/fisiología , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/citología , Fibras Musculares Esqueléticas/metabolismo , Fosfatos/metabolismo , Acondicionamiento Físico Humano/métodos , Aptitud Física/fisiología , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Tasa de Depuración Metabólica , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Participation of older men in endurance races continues to increase. Recent studies on marathon runners raised concerns about a transient myocardial dysfunction and damage. The aim of our study was to compare the extent of marathon-induced myocardial dysfunction in young and older runners and to identify its potential correlation to elevated cardiac biomarkers. METHODS: Twenty-eight older (aged 60-72 years) and 50 younger (22-59 years) male amateur athletes who participated in the 2006 Berlin Marathon were included in the study and examined by echocardiography (including tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography) and blood tests (including troponin T [TnT], N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the race. RESULTS: Immediately after the marathon, there was no sign of systolic myocardial dysfunction (increase in fractional shortening, baseline 39.9% +/- 7.6% vs post 46.8% +/- 9.2%, P < .001, unchanged septal basal longitudinal 2-dimensional strain: 17.1% +/- 2.9%, 17.7% +/- 3.2%, P = .11). As a marker of diastolic function, E/E' was not altered significantly (7.6 +/- 2.1, 8.7 +/- 3.5, P = .15). The deceleration time of E and E' decreased in both groups immediately after the race, indicating a transient adaptation of diastolic myocardial function. Strain of the right ventricular free wall was decreased in the mid and apical segments after the race in both groups with normalization during follow-up. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was not altered. Some 53.8% of all runners had increases in TnT or NT-proBNP after the race. Some 32% of controls and 29% of older runners had elevated levels of NT-proBNP (P = .75, TnT: 44% vs 29% P = .18). There was no correlation between NT-proBNP and TnT increase. The increases in biomarkers were not correlated to echocardiography parameters of systolic, diastolic, or right-sided heart dysfunction or to age, training level, running time, or renal function. All parameters returned to normal ranges after 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular systolic function is preserved after a marathon in older runners. There are right ventricular functional changes as a sign of prolonged myocardial work load. There is no significant difference between older and young runners regarding transient diastolic dysfunction or biomarker release. The latter is not associated with echocardiography parameters of myocardial dysfunction.
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Ecocardiografía Doppler/métodos , Péptido Natriurético Encefálico/sangre , Fragmentos de Péptidos/sangre , Resistencia Física , Carrera , Troponina T/sangre , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/diagnóstico por imagen , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/fisiopatología , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores/sangre , Diagnóstico por Imagen de Elasticidad/métodos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of abruptly intensified physical training on cardiovascular control. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Ten healthy athletes (5 men and 5 women) from track and field as well as triathlon. INTERVENTIONS: A 2-week training camp, including daily stepwise increasing cycling tests, running of 40 minutes, and additional cycling of 60 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Time and frequency domain parameters of resting heart rate and blood pressure variability (HRV and BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), before, during, and after the training camp. RESULTS: We found significantly reduced HRV during the training camp (mean beat-to-beat interval: 1042 [937 to 1194] ms vs. 933 [832 to 1103] ms vs. 1055 [947 to 1183] ms, P < 0.01; root-mean-square of beat-to-beat interval differences: 68 [52 to 95] ms vs. 52 [38 to 71] ms vs. 61 [48 to 78] ms, P < 0.05). Further, BRS was significantly reduced: 25.2 (20.4 to 40.4) ms/mmHg vs. 17.0 (12.9 to 25.7) ms/mmHg vs. 25.7 (18.8 to 29.1) ms/mmHg, P < 0.05. These effects disappeared at a large degree after 3 to 4 days of recovery. CONCLUSION: Abruptly intensified physical training results in an altered autonomic cardiovascular activity towards parasympathetic inhibition and sympathetic activation that can be monitored by means of HRV and BRS analyses and might provide useful markers to avoid the overtraining syndrome.