An alteration in arterial compliance associated with elevated aerobic fitness.
OBJECTIVE
To identify a nonpharmacologic method of enhancing arterial compliance, a correlate of atherogenesis; to determine the relationship between aerobic fitness levels and arterial compliance; and to identify a characteristic Doppler analog waveform associated with elevated levels of aerobic fitness.


METHODS
A cross-sectional design was used to compare the Doppler studies of sedentary subjects and aerobically trained subjects. The trained subjects were divided into a moderately trained group and a highly trained group.


METHODS
One hundred subjects consisting of 50 sedentary control subjects and 50 aerobically trained subjects in a university-based setting. The mean age of the total group of subjects was 36.0+/-8.6 years. Each group had an equal number of male and female subjects. Control subjects were sedentary, with normal vascular risk factor profiles and a mean aerobic capacity (maximum oxygen consumption) of 25.8+/-3.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). Trained subjects were divided into a moderately trained group and a highly trained group. The mean aerobic capacity for the moderately trained group was 46.0+/-4.4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), and that for the highly trained group was 63.3+/-6.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). A standard Doppler examination, including ankle pressure index was performed on each subject.


METHODS
Arterial compliance measurements were recorded by using A-mode Doppler ultrasonography and analyzed by diastolic flow analysis.


RESULTS
Control subjects had a mean arterial compliance level of 21.1%+/-2.5%. The moderately trained subjects had a mean compliance level of 34.8%+/-4.9%, and the highly trained subjects had a mean compliance level of 46.0%+/-6.7%. An analysis of variance was used for this comparison and was significant at a P value of less than .01.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that elevated aerobic fitness levels are associated with an augmentation in arterial compliance. A linear relationship existed in our data between aerobic fitness levels and arterial compliance. This study suggests that enhanced arterial compliance is another beneficial cardioprotective effect associated with aerobic training.
Terenzi
T J
TJ
Department of Applied Physiology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003187:Compliance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color