Fig. 7
Geometric and biomechanical alterations of coronary resistance artery segments induced by long-term physical exercise. Values were measured in the fully relaxed state. a Significantly reduced inner diameters in the male and female trained groups. (Ftraining = 19.515, Fsex = 0.448, Fint = 0.258, dftraining = 1, dfsex = 1, dfint = 1, Ptraining < 0.001, Psex = 0.509, and Pint = 0.615). b The wall thickness to diameter ratio was significantly elevated after training in both the male and female groups. (Ftraining = 14.962, Fsex = 0.672, Fint = 0.0526, dftraining = 1, dfsex = 1, dfint = 1, Ptraining < 0.001, Psex = 0.419, and Pint = 0.842). c The tangential wall stress at 50 mmHg of pressure was significantly reduced in trained male animals (close to the level in female animals). FSe rats had lower values compared with MSe rats. (Ftraining = 7.499, Fsex = 9.494, Fint = 3.382, dftraining = 1, dfsex = 1, dfint = 1, Ptraining = 0.01, Psex = 0.004, and Pint = 0.076). d The incremental elastic modulus at 15–30 kPa of wall stress increased in trained female and trained male animals compared with similar control groups. (Ftraining = 25.326, Fsex = 5.506, Fint = 0.267, dftraining = 1, dfsex = 1, dfint = 1, Ptraining < 0.001, Psex = 0.023, and Pint = 0.607). Two-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey’s test. Values are the means ± SEM. *P < 0.05 vs. MSe; #P < 0.05 vs. FSe