Angiogenesis is the formation of new capillaries or blood vessels from existing ones. It is a process that is inhibited in the body and that can be observed only in specific situations such as during reproduction, development and wound healing. That is, when the body creates new tissues that must be vascularized. It has also been detected as part of some pathologies such as psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis and has been identified as an essential factor for tumor growth.
However, there is another circumstance in which angiogenesis occurs in perfectly healthy individuals and that is with muscle hypertrophy. In this case, it would correspond to the creation of new fabrics and their irrigation as well as the increase in existing ones. In this sense, physical resistance training promotes angiogenesis and improves metabolic health. A study carried out by the University of Maastricht in young men concludes that, indeed, the microvascular adaptations and the molecular pathways involved increase after two weeks of a resistance training program with a full duration of 12 weeks (time that the study lasted ), which further supports the strength training program to optimize metabolic health.
In addition, exposure to hypoxia is being used to improve physical performance both at altitude and at sea level since it stimulates different genes involved in erythropoiesis, in the synthesis of myoglobin and hemoglobin, in glycolysis, in the transport of glucose and, for the present case, in angiogenesis. The ultimate goal, in any case, is the improvement of sports performance in elite professionals, although improving metabolic health is an interesting question for the general population, in which case, hypoxia does not need to be involved in training.
Functions
- Regenerates damaged tissues
- Improves metabolic health
- It favors the distribution of oxygen and nutrients in the tissues
Benefits
Angiogenesis is a natural process that we cannot control objectively and concretely, that is, we cannot train thinking about creating a number of new blood vessels or capillaries in the body. However, it is proven that strength training improves blood flow and promotes good metabolic health, two fundamental pillars to improve general health. Any issue related to the inhibition or stimulation of angiogenesis in an organized manner has to do with the treatment of different types of pathologies and should only be addressed by a medical professional.