Impact of Habitual Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Perimenopausal Women

Abstract

Arterial stiffness progressively increases with age, and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Although postmenopausal women have higher levels of arterial stiffness than premenopausal women, recent data demonstrate elevations in arterial stiffness leading up to menopause (menopausal transition). Habitual aerobic exercise attenuates arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women, however, the impact of habitual aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness in perimenopausal women (PERI) remains unclear. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that arterial stiffness would be lower in perimenopausal women that are highly active compared to those who are inactive. Methods: We classified 13 PERI using the STRAW+10 staging criteria, and grouped women by weekly aerobic exercise self-reported on a standard medical history questionnaire (HIGH: n=7, 50±2 yrs, 5±2 d/week vs LOW: n=6, 50±2 yrs, 1±1 d/week). Arterial stiffness was measured at rest via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/s), and augmentation index (AIx, %) was measured as an index of wave reflection (SphygmoCor XCEL) defined as the percentage ratio of the pressure increment caused by the reflected wave (augmentation pressure) to the pulse pressure. Student's t-Tests were used to compare arterial stiffness between highly active and inactive PERI. Data presented are mean ± standard deviation. Results: Resting heart rate (HIGH: 63±14 vs LOW: 62±4 bpm, P=0.87), mean arterial pressure (HIGH: 83±7 mmHg vs LOW: 79±9 mmHg, P=0.40), and pulse pressure (HIGH: 33±4 mmHg vs LOW: 35±4 mmHg, P=0.47) were similar between groups. Highly active PERI had lower body mass index (HIGH: 23±2 kg/m2 vs LOW: 25±2 kg/m2, P=0.04). PWV (HIGH: 6.5±0.4 m/s vs LOW: 7.1±0.6 m/s; P=0.05), AIx (HIGH: 24±9% vs LOW: 37±8%, P=0.02), and augmentation pressure (HIGH: 8±3 mmHg vs LOW: 13±4 mmHg, P=0.02) were lower in highly active PERI compared to inactive PERI. Conclusion These preliminary data suggest arterial stiffness is lower among perimenopausal women who self-report frequent engagement in aerobic exercise. Future studies using objective measures of physical activity and fitness are needed to determine the effects of habitual aerobic exercise and aerobic training interventions on arterial stiffness in women across reproductive ages, particularly throughout the menopausal transition.