Influence of intensity on acute aortic pulse pressure and central arterial stiffness in long‐distance runners (705.4)

Abstract

Aortic pulse pressure (APP) and central pulse wave velocity (cPWV) tends to decrease 60 min after distance running when compared to pre‐race values. However, it is unclear if changes in these two measures of cardiovascular health 24 hours post‐race are related to exercise intensity during competition. We sought to determine if changes in central pulse pressure and central arterial stiffness would be associated with differences in pacing. Specifically, we hypothesized that changes in APP and cPWV from 24 hours pre‐ to post‐race would be directly correlated with the percentage of vigorous activity during competition. We quantified intensity and pacing in long‐distance runners during marathon (n=4) and ultramarathon (n=8) as percentages of moderate (3‐6 METs) and vigorous (>6 METs) activity obtained from wrist accelerometry. We performed applanation tonometry to asses APP and cPWV 24 hours pre‐ and post‐race. Changes in APP (r=0.77) and cPWV (r=0.61) were directly correlated to the percentage of vigorous activity (range: 60 to 99%), and inversely correlated (r=‐0.76 and r=‐0.60, respectively) with percentage of moderate activity (range: 1 to 40%). We conclude that long‐distance runners who pace themselves with intermittent moderate intensity activity (i.e. slow jogging or walking) during competition appear to have lower central pulse pressure and lower central arterial stiffness 24‐hours post‐race.