title: Stretching exercises enhance vascular endothelial function and improve peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to clarify the acute effects of a single session of stretching exercises on vascular endothelial function and peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study evaluated 32 patients (mean age, 66 ± 9 years) who received phase I cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction. Five types of stretching exercises were performed on the floor: wrist dorsiflexion, close-legged trunk flexion, open-legged trunk flexion, open-legged lateral trunk bending, and cross-legged trunk flexion. Each exercise entailed a 30-second stretching followed by a 30-second relaxation, and was repeated twice. Low- and high-frequency components (LF and HF) of heart rate variability (LF, 0.04-0.15 Hz; HF, 0.15-0.40 Hz) were analyzed, and HF and LF/HF were used as indices of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous activities, respectively. Reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) index was measured and used as a parameter for vascular endothelial function. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) on the right foot and chest was also measured, and the Foot-tcPO2/Chest-tcPO2 ratio was used as a parameter for peripheral circulation. The HF, RH-PAT index, and Foot-tcPO2/Chest-tcPO2 ratio were significantly higher after the exercises than before (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in the LF/HF ratio measured before and after stretching exercises. These findings demonstrate that stretching exercises improve vascular endothelial function and peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Cardiology, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato, Sagamihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hotta
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Misako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Misao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura-Ogura
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabata
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kamekawa
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Michitaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Atsuhiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masuda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001160:Arterioles / Q000502:physiology; D001775:Blood Circulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide