Cardiac baroreflex function and dynamic cerebral autoregulation in elderly Masters athletes

In this cross-sectional study, we found that cardiac baroreflex gain was more than doubled in Masters athletes compared with sedentary elderly; however, estimates of dCA were similar between the two groups. Furthermore, no correlations were observed between the estimates of baroreflex gain and dCA. Taken together, these findings suggest that lifelong endurance training improves cardiac baroreflex function, but does not alter dCA in older adults. Thus beneficial effects of exercise training on BP regulation can be achieved in older adults without compromising dynamic regulation of CBF.