The purpose of this study was to clarify whether peripheral vascular response to alteration of transmural pressure is changed by endurance exercise training. The healthy male subjects (training group; n=6) performed endurance exercise training that consisted of cycle ergometer exercise 5 d . week(-1) and 30 min . d(-1) for a period of 8 weeks. Changes in the peripheral vascular response to alteration of transmural pressure in the human finger were measured by a differential digital photoplethysmogram (Delta DPG) and blood pressure during passive movement of the arm to different vertical hand positions relative to heart level. Following 8 weeks of endurance training, percent changes in Delta DPG, from heart level in the training group increased significantly (mean+/-SD, -48.1+/-7.3 to -58.7+/-9.3% at the lowered position, 46.1+/-13.4 to 84.6+/-8.8% at the elevated position, p<0.05). Similarly, the arterial compliance index, which was calculated from Delta DPG-P wave amplitude and arterial pulse pressure, also significantly changed in the training group over the 8 weeks (5.6+/-1.3 to 2.7+/-1.6 mV . V-1. s(-1). mmHg(-1) at the lowered position, 30.0+/-12.4 to 54.4+/-18.9 mV . V-1. s(-1). mmHg(-1) at the elevated position). Maximal oxygen uptake ((V) over dot O-2max) was significantly increased in the training group. On the other hand, the control group (n=6) showed no significant changes in all parameters for 8 weeks. Therefore these results suggest that endurance exercise training induces an increase in peripheral vascular response to alteration of transmural pressure in the human finger.