Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine and to compare alterations in the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide during different exercise-testing protocols (maximum exercise, continuous running, and intermittent running with active and/or passive recovery). The results showed that atrial natriuretic peptide plasma values increased significantly from the rest period to maximal values by 56.2 %, in 32-min continuous running the levels increased by 29.2 % compared to the baseline measurement.
However, no significant difference was evident when atrial natriuretic peptide values at rest and after active and passive recovery intermittent exercises were compared. The values of atrial natriuretic peptide decreased significantly (p less then 0.001) in passive recovery time after the end of all the exercise modes.
The results showed that the exercise testing protocol may affect the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations; particularly, short-term maximal exercise significantly increases atrial natriuretic peptide values, while the intermittent type of exercise may decrease the response in atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations.