Regular rowing exercise was associated with higher central arterial compliance (P<0.001) and lower carotid beta-stiffness index (P<0.001) compared to sedentary controls.
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
Does habitual rowing exercise improve central arterial compliance in healthy middle-aged adults compared to a sedentary lifestyle?
Regular rowing exercise, which combines endurance and strength training, is associated with favorable central arterial elasticity, suggesting that concurrent endurance training may negate the stiffening effects typically seen with strength training.
valor p: p=<0.001
Regular endurance exercise increases central arterial compliance, whereas resistance training decreases it. It is not known how the vasculature adapts to a combination of endurance and resistance training. Rowing is unique, because its training encompasses endurance- and strength-training components. We used a cross-sectional study design to determine arterial compliance of 15 healthy, habitual rowers 50 +/- 9 (SD) yr, 11 men and 4 women and 15 sedentary controls (52 +/- 8 yr, 10 men and 5 women). Rowers had been training 5.4 +/- 1.2 days/wk for 5.7 +/- 4.0 yr. The two groups were matched for age, body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic risk factors. Central arterial compliance (simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry on the common carotid artery) was higher (P < 0.001) and carotid beta-stiffness index was lower (P < 0.001) in rowers than in sedentary controls. There were no group differences for measures of peripheral (femoral) arterial stiffness. The higher central arterial compliance in rowers was associated with a greater cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity, as estimated during a Valsalva maneuver (r = 0.54, P < 0.005). In conclusion, regular rowing exercise in middle-aged and older adults is associated with a favorable effect on the elastic properties of the central arteries. Our results suggest that simultaneously performed endurance training may negate the stiffening effects of strength training.
Cook et al. (Sat,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy adults (n=30). Regular rowing exercise vs. Sedentary controls was evaluated on Central arterial compliance (p=<0.001). Regular rowing exercise was associated with higher central arterial compliance (P<0.001) and lower carotid beta-stiffness index (P<0.001) compared to sedentary controls.