The effects of an eight-month marathon school training program on blood pressure (BP) and underlying hemodynamics were examined in 45 participants and 43 controls. Hemodynamics were recorded

using whole-body impedance cardiography, radial tonometric pulse wave analysis, and third-finger BP measurements during passive head-up tilt. The mean ages were 40.9 and 42.2 years, and

body mass indexes (BMI) 25.1 and 25.8 kg/m2, respectively. Marathon training decreased mean weight (˗1.6 kg), fat percentage (˗2.7%), and BMI (˗0.5 kg/m2) and increased maximal oxygen uptake

(+3.2 ml/kg/min) and insulin sensitivity (+0.013 units) (p  0.075). Final BP values were significantly lower in the marathon group (by 7.2/4.5 and 10.9/10.2 mmHg, respectively, p