Sex-specific effects of habitual aerobic exercise on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in middle-aged and older adults

• DOI: 10.1042/cs20100174
• Publication Date: 2010-07-20T11:36:58Z
• Authors: Gary L. Pierce; Iratxe Eskurza; Ashley E. Walker; Tara N. Fay; Douglas R. Seals
• Keywords: Brachial artery; Aerobic Exercise

Brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated dilation) is impaired with aging and associated an increased risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease). In the present study, we determined whether regular aerobic exercise improves brachial in MA/O (middle-aged/older) men post-menopausal women. sedentary adults (age, 55–79 years) without CVD, 8 weeks brisk walking (6 days/week for approx. 50 min/day; randomized controlled design) treadmill time 20% both (n=11) women (n=15) (P<0.01), altering body composition or circulating factors. >50% (from 4.6±0.6 to 7.1±0.6%; P<0.01), but did not change (5.1±0.8 compared 5.4±0.7%; P=0.50). No changes occurred non-exercising controls. a separate cross-sectional study (n=167), was 50% greater endurance-exercise-trained (6.4±0.4%; n=45) (4.3±0.3%; n=60) (P<0.001), whereas there were no differences between endurance-trained (5.3±0.7%, n=20) (5.6±0.5%, n=42) (P=0.70). lumen diameter, peak hyperaemic shear rate endothelium-independent dilation differ intervention endurance groups. conclusion, consistently enhanced men, Some may be less responsive habitual than men.