title: Effects of Resistance Band Exercise on Vascular Activity and Fitness in Older Adults.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of a low to moderately intense resistance-band exercise intervention on cutaneous microvascular function in an older population. 18 sedentary healthy participants (age: 58±5) were assessed for their upper and lower-limb endothelial cutaneous vascular conductance using laser Doppler fluximetry with endothelial-dependent (80 μl acetylcholine chloride), and -independent vasodilation (80 μl sodium nitroprusside). In addition, participants underwent a range of functional assessments (cardiopulmonary fitness, strength, flexibility), and completed a perceived quality of life questionnaire. Participants were randomised into 2 groups: Exercise (EX) and Control (CON), and followed either an 8-week self-supervised home-based resistance-band intervention or maintained their habitual lifestyle. Following post-intervention assessment (n=16; EX=7, CON=9), EX improved acetylcholine-chloride-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation within the lower limb (cutaneous vascular conductance at 2 000 μCb; P<0.01), but without associated changes in the upper limb. Exercise, compared to CON, significantly affected sodium-nitroprusside-mediated independent vasodilation in the upper limb (P<0.01) at 2 000 μCb, but without associated changes in the lower limb. Of functional assessments, only lower limb strength and flexibility improved for EX (P<0.05). EX experienced positive changes within global measures of General Health, Bodily Pain and Energy/Fatigue (P<0.05). An 8-week home-based resistance-band exercise programme improves age-provoked microcirculatory endothelial vasodilation, but without concomitant changes in cardiopulmonary and anthropometric measures.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Mistrelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellmore
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Murgatroyd
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Thomas I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Gee
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055070:Resistance Training; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply; D014664:Vasodilation