Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the integrated effects of the beta-1-selective blocker with vasodilator properties, nebivolol, on systemic haemodynamics, neurohormones and energy metabolism as well as oxygen uptake and exercise performance in physically active patients with moderate essential hypertension (EH). Design and methods: Eighteen physically active patients with moderate EH were included: age: 46.9 ؎ 2.38 years, weight: 83.9 ؎ 2.81 kg, blood pressure (BP): 155.8 ؎ 3.90/102.5 ؎ 1.86 mm Hg, heart rate: 73.6 ؎ 2.98 min −1 . After a 14-day wash-out period a bicycle spiroergometry until exhaustion (WHO) was performed followed by a 45-min submaximal exercise test on the 2.5 mmol/l lactate-level 48 h later. Before, during and directly after exercise testing blood samples were taken. An identical protocol was repeated after a 6-week treatment period with 5 mg nebivolol/day. Results: Nebivolol treatment resulted in a significant (P Ͻ 0.01) decrease in systolic and diastolic BP and heart