S-36-1: TYPE OF EXERCISE AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS

Abstract

Arterial stiffness increases with age and is an independent risk factor for death from future cardiovascular diseases. Habitual exercise has been recommended as one of the effective treatments and prevention for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In this presentation, I would like to introduce the results of research on the effects of different types of exercise on arterial stiffness. A lot of studies have reported that habitually moderate- to vigorous- intensity aerobic exercise, e.g., walking, running, and swimming reduces arterial stiffness, especially in middle-aged and elderly. Our study also reveals that arterial stiffness is lower in elderly with more light-intensity physical activity and less sedentary behavior. Surprisingly, bodybuilders and American football players who do a lot of strength training recommended along with aerobic exercise have higher arterial stiffness and blood pressure than sedentary peers. We have reported for the first time that several months of high-intensity strength training in young subjects have the unfavorable effect of increasing arterial stiffness. On the other hand, systematic review and meta-analysis also suggests that moderate-intensity strength training in middle-aged and elderly with increased arterial stiffness has less adverse effects. Strength and aerobic combined exercise suppress the increase in arterial stiffness. In addition, we found that the arteries were stiff in middle-aged and elderly with lower whole-body flexibility. It has also been reported that several months of yoga and stretching interventions reduce arterial stiffness. Since the effect on arterial stiffness differs depending on the type of exercise, it is necessary to carefully select the exercise type when using exercise for treatment of hypertension. The mechanism of changes in arterial stiffness due to exercise has not been fully elucidated. Further research is needed to provide more reliable exercise prescription for hypertension.