Poor trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffening

Abstract

Flexibility is one of the components of physical fitness as well as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength and endurance. Flexibility has long been considered a major component in the preventive treatment of musculotendinous strains. The present study investigated a new aspect of flexibility. Using a cross-sectional study design, we tested the hypothesis that a less flexible body would have arterial stiffening. A total of 526 adults, 20 to 39 yr of age (young), 40 to 59 yr of age (middle-aged), and 60 to 83 yr of age (older), participated in this study. Subjects in each age category were divided into either poor- or high-flexibility groups on the basis of a sit-and-reach test. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Two-way ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between age and flexibility in determining baPWV (P < 0.01). In middle-aged and older subjects, baPWV was higher in poor-flexibility than in high-flexibility groups (middle-aged, 1,260 +/- 141 vs. 1,200 +/- 124 cm/s, P < 0.01; and older, 1,485 +/- 224 vs. 1,384 +/- 199 cm/s, P < 0.01). In young subjects, there was no significant difference between the two flexibility groups. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis (n = 316) revealed that among the components of fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility) and age, all components and age were independent correlates of baPWV. These findings suggest that flexibility may be a predictor of arterial stiffening, independent of other components of fitness.

Changes in exercise habits and pulse wave velocity with lifestyle modification in Japanese

“…Yamamoto K et al also reported that baPWV was higher in poor-flexibility than in high-flexibility group [13]. In longitudinal analysis, Kawasaki et al showed that a 6-month, twice-a-week exercise program emphasizing swimming significantly decreased baPWV in 11 men and 24 women [14].…”

Acute Effect of Static Stretching Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Young Adults

“…Concurrently, cfPWV and faPWV were measured using applanation tonometry using an array of 15 transducers (form PWV/ ABI; Omron Colin), as previously described. 14,24 The distance traveled by the pulse waves was assessed by a random zero-length measurement over the surface of the body using a nonelastic tape measure. Pulse-wave transit time was determined from the time delay between the proximal and distal Bfoot[ waveforms.…”

“…13 Poor trunk flexibility and lumber flexion are associated with high systemic and central arterial stiffness, which are assessed by brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV). 14,15 Stretching exercise, which improves joint flexibility, is widely used to prevent exercise-induced injury and is widely used for rehabilitation because the stretching exercise required less strength. 16 Stretching training (3 days/wk, 30Y45 mins/day) for 13 wks improves carotid arterial compliance in middle-aged and older adults.…”

The effect of cigarette smoking on flexibility in Japanese

“…Sedentary lifestyle may contribute to the functional decline of subjects and ciga-rette smoking may accelerate alterations in several systems and organic functions. Poor trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffening [10]. Taken together, a combination of promoting exercise habits and prohibiting cigarette smoking might be considered for improving flexibility in Japanese.…”