Aerobic, resistance and combined exercise training on arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive adults: A review

Abstract

Exercise training has different effects on arterial stiffness according to training modalities. The optimal exercise modality for improvement of arterial function in normotensive and hypertensive individuals has not been well established. In this review, we aim to evaluate the effects of aerobic, resistance and combined aerobic and resistance training on arterial stiffness in individuals with and without hypertension. We systematically searched the Pubmed and Web of Science database from 1985 until December 2013 for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The data were extracted by one investigator and checked by a second investigator. The training effects on arterial stiffness were estimated using weighted mean differences of the relative changes (%) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We finally reviewed the results from 17 RCTs. The available evidence indicates that aerobic exercise tends to have a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive patients, but does not affect arterial stiffness in patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Resistance exercise has differing effects on arterial stiffness depending on type and intensity. Vigorous resistance training is associated with an increase in arterial stiffness. There seem to be no unfavourable effects on arterial stiffness if the training is of low intensity, in a slow eccentric manner or with lower limb in healthy individuals. Combined training has neutral or even a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness. In conclusion, our review shows that exercise training has varying effects on arterial stiffness depending on the exercise modalities.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Long‐Term Changes in Aortic Stiffness: The Whitehall II Study

“…Consistently, meta-analyses of individually underpowered experimental trials suggested that aerobic exercise, but not resistance training, was associated with decreased PWV over the intervention period. 20,21 The association of sports, but not domestic activities, with slower aortic stiffness might be explained by cardiorespiratory fitness, which was found in The Northern Ireland Young Hearts project to mediate the association between sports and arterial stiffness. 30 To date, the biological mechanisms through which physical activity is related to aortic stiffness are not well established.…”

“…14,[17][18][19] However, previous studies are cross-sectional, include only 1 assessment of arterial stiffness, or are small, short-duration trials. 20,21 Reverse causality, an inherent limitation of crosssectional studies, has limited the ability to draw unbiased inferences from previous reports. Longitudinal studies with repeat measurements of pulse wave velocity (PWV) on large population samples are more informative of the nature, temporality, and direction of the associations.…”

Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and BMI with arterial health in middle‐aged men and women

“…Physical activity and particularly vigorous intensity physical activity has been inversely associated with arterial stiffness in cross‐sectional (Endes et al., 2016) and longitudinal studies ( Laar et al., 2011). Exercise interventions have also provided some evidence that regular aerobic exercise (Ashor, Lara, Siervo, Celis‐Morales, & Mathers, 2014; Li et al., 2015), but not resistance exercise (Miyachi, 2013), may decrease arterial stiffness, but the positive effect of aerobic exercise training on arterial stiffness has not been confirmed in all studies (Montero, Roche, & Martinez‐Rodriguez, 2014). Furthermore, studies on the role of cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI), or blood pressure in the effects of acute maximal exercise on arterial stiffness and arterial dilatation capacity remain somewhat limited.…”

Effects of a Personalized Physical Exercise Program in the Ventricular-arterial Coupling of Older Adults. A Pilot Study

“…When this age-dependent adaptations occur in association with other cardiovascular risks, such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity or sedentary lifestyle, arterial stiffening trajectory is further accelerated and the risk for major cardiovascular events increases significantly [5]. Physical exercise has been recognized for its potential to modulate the trajectories of AS and to improve overall cardiovascular health [6]. For example, Cameron et al [7] demonstrated that physical exercise contributes to improve arterial function in patients with high cardiovascular risk.…”

“…This study aims at demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of physical exercise in the old adult, focusing mainly on cardiovascular efficiency as measured by the coupling of the left ventricle with the aorta -VAC. This parameter has been explored over the years, primarily by biophysicists, in animal models, and more recently, associated with the study of cardiovascular efficiency in humans [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15], namely associating VAC with the increase in the cardiovascular efficiency at peak exercise [16]. However, studies associating VAC to cardiovascular efficiency gains related to physical exercise in old adults are scarce.…”