Do Distinct Exercise Modalities Have Identical Effects on Arterial Stiffness?

Abstract

Elucidating the optimal exercise intervention to improve arterial stiffness is a crucial vein of inquiry in the attempt to minimize cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 1 Montero D. Roberts C.K. Vinet A. Arterial stiffness in obese populations: is it reduced by aerobic training?. Int J Cardiol. 2014; 176: 280-281 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar , 2 van Sloten T.T. Schram M.T. van den Hurk K. Dekker J.M. Nijpels G. Henry R.M. Stehouwer C.D. Local stiffness of the carotid and femoral artery is associated with incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: the Hoorn study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014; 63: 1739-1747 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (207) Google Scholar Alkatan et al. 3 Alkatan M. Machin D.R. Baker J.R. Akkari A.S. Park W. Tanaka H. Effects of swimming and cycling exercise intervention on vascular function in patients with osteoarthritis. Am J Cardiol. 2015; 117: 141-145 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (34) Google Scholar are therefore to be congratulated for assessing the impact of different prevalent exercise training (ET) modalities (swimming, cycling) on arterial stiffness in a high-risk population. Using well-established methods, they conclude that the magnitude of improvement in central (carotid) arterial stiffness is similar with swimming and cycling ET interventions. These findings contrast with previous evidence indicating a superior beneficial effect of cycling compared with swimming ET on carotid arterial stiffness. 4 Walther G. Nottin S. Karpoff L. Perez-Martin A. Dauzat M. Obert P. Flow-mediated dilation and exercise-induced hyperaemia in highly trained athletes: comparison of the upper and lower limb vasculature. Acta Physiol (oxf). 2008; 193: 139-150 Crossref PubMed Scopus (58) Google Scholar Herein, I would like to highlight 2 issues regarding the study of Alkatan et al. 3 Alkatan M. Machin D.R. Baker J.R. Akkari A.S. Park W. Tanaka H. Effects of swimming and cycling exercise intervention on vascular function in patients with osteoarthritis. Am J Cardiol. 2015; 117: 141-145 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (34) Google Scholar that commonly require particular consideration when addressing the impact of ET and may contribute to explain divergences. Effects of Swimming and Cycling Exercise Intervention on Vascular Function in Patients With OsteoarthritisAmerican Journal of CardiologyVol. 117Issue 1PreviewSwimming exercise is an ideal and excellent form of exercise for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). However, there is no scientific evidence that regular swimming reduces vascular dysfunction and inflammation and elicits similar benefits compared with land-based exercises such as cycling in terms of reducing vascular dysfunction and inflammation in patients with OA. Forty-eight middle-aged and older patients with OA were randomly assigned to swimming or cycling training groups. Cycling training was included as a non–weight-bearing land-based comparison group. Full-Text PDF