Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Lifelong endurance athletes: * Initiation of endurance sports before the age of 30 years * Activities at regional, national or international level * Sports: triathlon, cycling, distance running (1500 metres and longer) and rowing * Aged 45-70 years * Involved in competition and high-level training: * more than 10 hours per week for cyclists and triathletes * more than 6 hours per week for runners and rowers. * Late-onset endurance athletes: * Initiation of endurance sports after the age of 30 years and at least 6 months ago * Activities at regional, national or international level * Sports: triathlon, cycling, distance running (1500 metres and longer) and rowing * Aged 45-70 years * Involved in competition and high-level training: * more than 10 hours per week for cyclists and triathletes * more than 6 hours per week for runners and rowers. * Healthy non-athletes * subjects seen in the outpatient clinic for a work-related medical check-up * university alumni * subjects from multisports organisations * history of regular sports practice \<3 hours /week * participation in regular sports with a low dynamic component (e.g. billiards, darts or bowling) \>3 hours /week is allowed Exclusion Criteria: * history of smoking (\> 5 pack years) * history of diabetes * diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disorder prior to inclusion * medical treatment for arterial hypertension or hypercholesterolemia