Acute effects of static stretching exercise-induced decrease in arterial stiffness on maximal aerobic capacity.

Abstract

We recently have reported that individual day-to-day arterial stiffness variations are associated with maximal aerobic capacity. However, the evidence of this phenomenon was not provided sufficiently. The present study aimed to examine whether a decrease in arterial stiffness through static stretching exercise could enhance maximal aerobic capacity. Twelve healthy young men (age 22±2 years, mean and standard deviation) participated in this study and underwent two separate sessions in a randomized controlled crossover design: a single session of a whole-body static stretching exercise protocol that involved the trunk, upper limb, and lower limb (stretch condition), and sedentary control where they rested in the exercise room. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of systemic arterial stiffness before, immediately after and at 30 min after both conditions. Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O<inf>2</inf>max) was assessed using a graded power test on an electronically braked cycle ergometer after these measurements. As we expected, there was a significant decrease in the baPWV at 30 min after the stretch trial compared to baseline values (P=0.01). The baPWV in the stretch condition was lower than that of the control condition, while V̇O<inf>2</inf>max in the stretch condition was higher than that of the control condition (P=0.03). Based on these findings, it can be inferred that an acute reduction in arterial stiffness may contribute to change in maximal aerobic capacity.