Impact of Lifestyles (Diet and Exercise) on Vascular Health: Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Function

Figure 3

Schematic of the effect of different exercise intensities in vascular nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and endothelial function. Low-intensity exercise may have minimal effect on NO and ROS production and physiological meaningful effects in endothelial function. During moderate-intensity exercise, production of NO is augmented while ROS production is increased in a slower rate, resulting in improvement of endothelial function. During high-intensity exercise, production of ROS is significantly greater that of NO, resulting in reduced endothelial function.