Author(s): OUBOUCHOU, K., DEBRAY, A., BHERER, L., GAGNON, D., Institution: UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTREAL , Country: CANADA, Abstract-ID: 2750

INTRODUCTION:
Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with impaired peripheral endothelial and microvascular function, contributing to increased cardiovascular risk. Although exercise training is recommended to improve vascular health, evidence suggests that vascular adaptations to exercise are attenuated or highly variable in older adults living with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, vascular adaptations to longer-term exercise training in this population remain limited. This study tested the hypothesis that a 46-week exercise training intervention improves peripheral endothelial function, microvascular function, and blood pressure in adults with living cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS:
Nineteen sedentary adults were included (age: 70 ± 6 years; 11 females and 8 males). Among females, the most prevalent risk factors were physical inactivity (73%), obesity (46%), dyslipidemia (36%), and hypertension (36%). Among males, physical inactivity was present in all participants (100%), followed by obesity (63%) and dyslipidemia (63%). No participants were current smokers. Participants completed 46 weeks of supervised exercise training that included three 60-minute sessions per week of combined and progressive aerobic and resistance training. Peripheral endothelial function was assessed using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), microvascular function was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry during post-occlusion reactive hyperemia, and blood pressure was measured at rest in triplicate. Pre-post comparisons were performed using paired t tests and mean differences (post minus pre) are presented with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS:
There was no change in brachial artery FMD expressed as a percentage (0.97% [−0.50, 1.20], p = 0.398) or in millimeters (−0.06 mm [−0.24, 0.12], p = 0.545). Cutaneous vascular conductance area under the curve (−0.25 units·mmHg⁻¹ [−0.82, 0.32], p=0.363) and peak conductance (−9.01mL·min⁻¹·mmHg⁻¹ [−38.98, 20.97], p=0.530) also did not differ from pre to post intervention. Finally, there were no differences in systolic (3.06 mmHg [−1.89, 8.01], p = 0.244) or diastolic (−2.12 mmHg [−5.60, 1.36], p = 0.248) blood pressure.
CONCLUSION:
In older adults living with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, a 46-week supervised exercise training intervention did not improve peripheral endothelial function, microvascular function, or blood pressure.