Journal article

Authors list: Größer, Vincent; Weyh, Christopher; Böttrich, Tim; Frech, Torsten; Nolte, Svenja; Sommer, Natascha; Huber, Magdalena; Eder, Klaus; Dörr, Oliver; Hoelscher, Sophie; Weber, Rebecca; Akdogan, Ebru; Nef, Holger; Most, Astrid; Hamm, Christian W.; Krüger, Karsten; Bauer, Pascal

Publication year: 2024

Pages: 1487-1497

Journal: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Volume number: 124

ISSN: 1439-6319

eISSN: 1439-6327

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05375-1

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 

Purpose: Physical exercise is crucial for healthy aging and plays a decisive role in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in the elderly is associated with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. This study investigated the association of CRF level with vascular function and cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly.
Methods: We examined 79 apparently healthy and physically active subjects aged > 55 years (64 +/- 4 years). Cardiovascular functional parameters assessed included brachial and central blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (Aix), and ankle-brachial index. Sonography of the common carotid artery was performed. CRF level was determined by a cardiopulmonary exercise test, and everyday activity was quantified with an accelerometer.
Results: All participants had a higher CRF level than the reported age-specific normative values. Twenty-nine subjects had subclinical atherosclerosis of the common carotid artery. Compared with participants without atherosclerosis, they were older (p = 0.007), displayed higher brachial systolic BP (p = 0.006), and higher central systolic BP (p = 0.014). Lower brachial (p = 0.036) and central (p = 0.003) systolic BP, lower PWV (p = 0.004), lower Aix (p < 0.001), lower body fat percentage (< 0.001), and lower LDL cholesterol (p = 0.005) were associated with a higher CRF level.
Conclusions: In this cohort of healthy and physically active individuals, subjects with subclinical atherosclerosis displayed higher systolic brachial and central BP. A higher CRF level was associated with enhanced vascular function, consistent with an influence of CRF on both BP and vascular function in the elderly.

Harvard Citation style: Größer, V., Weyh, C., Böttrich, T., Frech, T., Nolte, S., Sommer, N., et al. (2024) Association of cardiorespiratory fitness level with vascular function and subclinical atherosclerosis in the elderly, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 124, pp. 1487-1497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05375-1

APA Citation style: Größer, V., Weyh, C., Böttrich, T., Frech, T., Nolte, S., Sommer, N., Huber, M., Eder, K., Dörr, O., Hoelscher, S., Weber, R., Akdogan, E., Nef, H., Most, A., Hamm, C., Krüger, K., & Bauer, P. (2024). Association of cardiorespiratory fitness level with vascular function and subclinical atherosclerosis in the elderly. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 124, 1487-1497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05375-1