The Impact of Aquatic Exercise Programs on the Intima-Media thickness of the Carotid Arteries, Hemodynamic Parameters, Lipid Profile and Chemokines of Community-Dwelling Older Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Scientific evidence has shown that physical exercise is an effective way of improving several cardiovascular disease markers. However, few studies have tested its effectiveness when performed in aquatic environments. The purpose of this study was to test the impact of different aquatic exercise programs on the intima-media thickness of carotid arteries (IMT) and hemodynamic and biochemical markers of cardiovascular diseases in community-dwelling older persons. A total of 102 participants were randomly allocated into four groups: an aerobic exercise group (AerG) (n = 25, 71.44 ± 4.84 years); an aerobic interval group (IntG) (n = 28, 72.64 ± 5.22 years); a combined group (ComG) (n = 29, 71.90 ± 5.67 years); and a control group (CG) (n = 20, 73.60 ± 5.25 years). The AerG, IntG, and ComG participants took part in three different aquatic exercise programs for 28 weeks. The CG participants maintained their usual routines. All participants were evaluated for IMT, blood pressure, lipid profile, and MCP-1 and MIP-1α chemokines, pre- and post-intervention. Significant differences were found in the AerG for diastolic diameter (DD), in the IntG for peak systolic velocity (PSV), and in the ComG for DD and end-diastolic velocity (EDV). Regarding blood pressure, significant differences were found in AerG for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); in IntG for DBP; and in ComG for SBP, DBP, and heart rate (HR). Significant differences were found in the AerG and IntG for glucose (GLU). Lower plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α) were found in the AerG and in the ComG for MCP-1 after the intervention. Aquatic physical exercise appears to improve cardiovascular health, regardless of the type of the program adopted. Aerobic programs (combined and continuous aerobic exercises) seemed to have a more beneficial effect in reducing important cardiovascular risk markers.

Association between Triglyceride-glucose index and carotid artery plaque in young and middle-aged occupational population

“…As one of the metabolic diseases, MAFLD, a novel concept proposed by an international consensus in 2020, was mainly related to insulin resistance and as a risk factor for ASCVD, and the TyG index was a potential risk factor for MAFLD [34][35][36][37][38]. Moreover, scienti c evidence has shown that lifestyle including physical activity, dietary pattern, salt intake, etc., improved cardiovascular disease markers effectively [39,40]. After adjusting for MAFLD and lifestyle factors, we observed that the TyG index was independently associated with CAP in railway workers.…”

Assessing the effect of regular swimming exercise on the micro- and macrovascular physiology of older adults (ACELA II study)

“…Nevertheless, the current literature presents limited evidence on the wider CV benefits for those who engage in aquatic exercise. Some studies show no improvement in CV parameters (Porter et al, 2019), while others suggest a positive effect on the intima-media thickness of carotid arteries, haemodynamic and biochemical markers (Farinha et al, 2022), and aortic haemodynamics (Fukuie et al, 2021). Therefore, a research study exploring both CVD risk reduction indices and feasibility parameters (e.g., assessing whether wider implementation of a water-based programme is possible) in a controlled RCT study environment is warranted.…”