Endurance training (ET) may decrease the risk for coronary artery disease. It has been speculated that these effects may be due to an exercise-induced stimulation of angiogenesis. We investigated the plasma concentration of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, angiogenic factor) and endostatin (antiangiogenic factor) in a group of untrained 50–60 year-old men with adipositas using the ELISA technique. All the men were randomized into a 'running' group (RUN, training 3 times a week, 60 min each, n=7), a 'cycling' group (CYCLE, training 3 times a week, 90 min each, n=7) and a sendentary control group (CON, n=7). People took part in the program for a duration of 6 months. Body-mass index (BMI), systolic und diastolic blood pressure, as well as VEGF- and endostatin plasma concentration were comparable in all three groups at first. ET significantly reduced body mass index in both exercise groups but not in CON. ET did not influence VEGF plasma concentration. Plasma concentration of endostatin was significantly reduced in RUN (before vs. after: 20.9±1.6 ng/ml vs. 17.5±1.0 ng/ml) and CYCLE (before vs. after: 21.3±1.4 ng/ml vs. 18.0±1.6 ng/ml) but not in CON (before vs. after:19.7±1.3 ng/ml vs. 17.7±1.1 ng/ml). Concluions: ET reduces the antiangiogenic mechanisms in 50–60 year-old men and may thereby decrease the risk for cardiovascular diseases.