The relationship between anthropometrics and central hemodynamics in middle aged males

INTRODUCTION: Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness and predicts future cardiovascular disease events. Increased fat mass and aging are primary predictors of higher aPWV and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure (cSBP and cDBP). Body composition evaluated through various forms of anthropometric formulas and assessments may have different influences on cardiovascular function, specifically aPWV and central BP. Therefore, comparing different anthropometric measurements and their associations with central hemodynamic measurements could yield novel insight. PURPOSE: To test the associations between central hemodynamics (aPWV, cSBP, and cDBP) with anthropometric measurements, including body mass, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, percent body fat (BF%), lean mass, lean mass percent (LM%), fat to lean mass ratio (FLR), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist to hip ratio (WHR). METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of 122 male participants (age: 39±8y), anthropometric, central hemodynamic, brachial blood pressures (bSBP and bDBP) were measured. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impendence (Bodystat 1500) and body circumferences were measured following American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Body mass: 89.7± 16kg, BMI:27.9±4.4 kg/m 2 , BF%:22.0±12.8%, body fat:20.4±13.3kg, lean mass: 72.98±34.67kg, LM% 81.7±32.1%. aPWV, cSBP, cDBP, were measured through applanation tonometry (Sygphmocor, AtCormedical). Multiple linear regression was utilized to analyze the association between the individual hemodynamic variables and each variable. Age was applied as a covariate due to its existing correlation with aPWV, additionally models with larger R 2 and adjusted R 2 (adj. R 2 ) values were considered stronger predictors. RESULTS: Group mean central hemodynamics were aPWV of (6.76±1.16m/s), cSBP of (110.5±10.6mmHg), cDBP of (79.9±9.3mmHg). Brachial blood pressure was bSBP (125±12mmHg) and bDBP (79±9mmHg). Most anthropometric measures were significant predictor variables for aPWV when paired with age in each model (p≤0.04), apart from LM, LM%, and FLR (p≥0.06). The best model pairing for aPWV was age and WC which had an R 2 =0.477 and adj. R 2 =0.468, while body fat mass and BF% R 2 =0.357 and R 2 =0.318, respectively. Most anthropometric measures were significant predictor variables for cSBP when paired with age in each model (p≤0.01), apart from LM and LM% (p≥0.25). The best model pairing for cSBP was age and BMI which had an R 2 =0.412 and adj. R 2 =0.402, while body fat mass and BF% R 2 =0.172 and R 2 =0.078. Most anthropometric measures were significant predictor variables for cDBP when paired with age in each model (p≤0.04), apart from lean mass and LM% (p≥0.24). The best model pairing for cDBP was age and WC which had an R 2 =0.320 and adj. R 2 =0.308, whereas body fat mass and BF% R 2 =0.139 and R 2 =0.059. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that waist circumference and BMI are stronger predictors of central hemodynamics, compared to traditional measures of body fat % and body mass. These findings elucidate modifiable body composition measures influencing cardiovascular health in apparently healthy males. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.