Exercise training, vascular function, and functional capacity in middle-aged subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 wk of exercise training on functional capacity, muscular strength, body composition, and vascular function in sedentary but healthy subjects by using a randomized, crossover protocol.


METHODS
After familiarization sessions, 19 subjects aged 47 +/- 2 yr (mean +/- SE) undertook a randomized, crossover design study of the effect of 8 wk of supervised circuit training consisting of combined aerobic and resistance exercise. Peak oxygen uptake (.VO(2peak)), sum of 7 maximal voluntary contractions and the sum of 8 skinfolds and 5 segment girths were determined at entry, crossover, and 16 wk. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vascular function were determined by forearm strain-gauge plethysmography and intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in 16 subjects.


RESULTS
Training did not alter ACh or SNP responses. .VO(2peak), (28.6 +/- 1.1 to 32.6 +/- 1.3 mL.kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.001), exercise test duration (17.4 +/- 1.1 to 22.1 +/- 1.2 min, P < 0.001), and muscular strength (465 +/- 27 to 535 +/- 27 kg, P < 0.001) significantly increased after the exercise program, whereas skinfolds decreased (144 +/- 10 vs 134 +/- 9 mm, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that moderate intensity circuit training designed to minimize the involvement of the arms improves functional capacity, body composition, and strength in healthy, middle-aged subjects without significantly influencing upper limb vascular function. This finding contrasts with previous studies in subjects with type 2 diabetes and heart failure that employed an identical training program.
Maiorana
A
A
Department of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, 6009, Western Australia.
O'Driscoll
G
G
Dembo
L
L
Goodman
C
C
Taylor
R
R
Green
D
D
D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology