Author(s): MENG, Y., SU, H., Institution: BEIJING SPORT UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1384

INTRODUCTION:
Cardiovascular adaptability and post-exercise recovery are critical indicators of metabolic and vascular health, yet their interplay with age, gender, and body composition remains underexplored. This study investigates hemodynamic and vascular stiffness parameters in adults to evaluate how exercise impacts cardiovascular resilience and recovery, with implications for personalized health interventions.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 350 participants (aged 33–87 years, 62% female). Key metrics included resting heart rate (HR), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and BMI. Post-exercise recovery HR, vascular stiffness (classified as normal, moderately stiff, or stiff), and 3-minute HR recovery were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA for age/gender stratification.
RESULTS:
1.Vascular Stiffness: 42% of participants exhibited elevated vascular stiffness (PWV >1400 cm/s), with higher prevalence in males (55%) and those aged >60 (68%).

2.Recovery Dynamics: Post-exercise HR recovery lagged in older adults (ΔHR: -28 bpm vs. -42 bpm in <50-year-olds, p<0.01).

3.Body Composition: Higher BMI (>28) correlated with increased vascular stiffness (OR=2.1, p=0.003) and delayed DBP normalization.

4.Gender Differences: Females showed lower resting HR (72±11 vs. 78±14 bpm, p=0.02) but comparable PWV values to males.
CONCLUSION:
Age and body composition significantly influence vascular stiffness and post-exercise recovery, highlighting the need for age-tailored exercise regimens. Elevated PWV in older adults underscores the role of vascular health in exercise tolerance. Gender-specific differences in HR dynamics suggest divergent cardiovascular adaptation mechanisms. These findings advocate for integrating vascular stiffness metrics into routine fitness assessments to optimize exercise prescriptions and mitigate cardiovascular risks. Limitations include potential confounding factors (e.g., undiagnosed vascular calcification) and incomplete recovery data in select cases.