Author(s): TANIGUCHI, S., TOMIISHI, C., SAKAMOTO, J., SAEKI, R., KAMIUCHI, S., HIRATSUKA, C., KUSANO, K., ICHIKAWA, M., GOTO, K., Institution: RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY , Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1826

INTRODUCTION:
The use of fast (brisk) walking (FW) has been gaining attention for promotion of health. FW leads to greater energy expenditure with smaller ground reaction force compared to running at same velocity (Makino et al. 2022a, 2022b). On the other hand, the impact of long-term FW training on vascular endothelial function has not been clarified. In previous study, long-term endurance training at low-intensity or middle-intensity caused comparable improvements of FMD (Marinei, 2020), but the use of FW may present further effects. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of 10 weeks of FW on vascular endothelial function in middle-aged adults.
METHODS:
Thirty-five participates in middle-aged adults (54.4 ± 11.6 years; FW group: n = 23, Control group: n = 12) were recruited. Participants in the FW group performed fast walking (20-30 min / day, 4 days / week) for 10 weeks, whereas Control group did not perform FW with maintaining regular lifestyle. Before and after 10 weeks of intervention, body composition, vascular endothelial function (assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD]) and blood pressure were evaluated.
RESULTS:
Average walking velocity in the FW group was 6.8 ± 0.7 km/h, and the average duration was 24.3 ± 3.3 min. After the 10 weeks of intervention, FMD did not change significantly in either FW group (Pre: 5.0 ± 1.7%, Post: 5.6 ± 2.2%) or Control group (Pre: 6.1± 2.5%, Post: 4.8 ± 2.8%, P > 0.05). However, blood pressure was decreased significantly after the intervention in both groups (systolic blood pressure; P = 0.0004, diastolic blood pressure; P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
The walking velocity and duration were thought to be sufficient for improving FMD. However, baseline levels of FMD in the present participants were included in normal range, which may affect the lack of adaptation. It is possible that augmented sympathetic nervous activation during FW caused negative impact for improvement of FMD. In conclusion, 10 weeks of fast walking did not improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged adults.