Acute Exercise Effects on Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovagal Modulation in Adults

Summary

Background and Gap:

The physiological importance of large artery distensibility in cardiovascular function is well-established. Stiffening of central arteries leads to elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), increased left ventricular afterload, and altered coronary artery perfusion. These changes can elevate cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause mortality. Cardiac autonomic function, including heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV), is closely linked to blood pressure regulation. Reductions in HRR and HRV are predictive of cardiovascular mortality. The dynamic regulation of arterial stiffness and autonomic function post-exercise is crucial for both health and performance outcomes. Exercise, particularly aerobic, has been shown to reduce arterial stiffness, but evidence across different exercise modalities is limited, especially for group fitness classes. These classes are a common method for achieving cardiovascular fitness, but their acute effects on arterial stiffness and autonomic function remain understudied.

Study Type: Parallel Group Crossover Randomised Trial Primary Purpose: To assess and compare the acute effects of three commercially available group exercise classes on arterial stiffness and cardiovagal modulation in healthy young and middle-aged adults.

Study Population: Healthy adults aged 18-60 years.

Main Question:

How does age influence post-exercise recovery patterns in arterial stiffness and cardiovagal modulation following different group fitness classes?

Comparison Group: Researchers compared arterial stiffness and autonomic function responses across three group fitness classes in young and older adults.

Participant Tasks:

* Attend a 60-minute group exercise class.
* Undergo measurements of arterial stiffness and autonomic function before and after 3 group fitness classes.

Conditions

• Ageing
• Aerobic Exercise
• Resistance Exercise
• Combined Exercise

Interventions

OTHER

Bike group fitness class

Comprised a rhythmic indoor cycling session, characterized by fluctuations in intensity corresponding to changes in position, music rhythm, cadence, and revolutions per minute. Participants were instructed to strictly follow verbal cues from the instructor, adjusting cycling cadence and resistance as directed, for 45 minutes.

OTHER

Pump Power

Entails a comprehensive total-body weight-training program with a focus on improving strength, muscular endurance, and overall fitness of large muscle groups. The class, choreographed to music, involved participants performing a combination of barbell, body-weight exercises, and free-weight plates, during 45 minutes. Participants selected weights based on the target muscle group for the specific song or track and their individual fitness goals.

OTHER

Global Training

Incorporated both aerobic and resistance components, combining athletic movements like running, lunging, and jumping with strength exercises such as barbells, body-weight exercises, and free-weight plates for the large muscle groups, during 45 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Xavier Melo, PhD · Egas Moniz School of Health & Science

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-01-06

Primary Completion

2021-11-26

Completion

2022-03-11

Countries

• Portugal

Study Locations