Central Artery Stiffness and Physical Activity

With advancing age, large conduit arteries (e.g., the aorta and carotid arteries) lose their ability to distend in response to fluctuations in arterial pressure. The impaired buffering or compliance function of the arteries contributes to a number of cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems disorders, including increased systolic blood pressure and aortic impedance, decreased coronary perfusion, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a blunting of cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Because of the clinical significance of this function, a number of methods have been developed to characterize the elastic property of the arteries. However, there is no consensus as to which method should be used. In regard to the prevention of arterial stiffening, mounting evidence suggests that regular physical activity could retard age-related arterial stiffening. The purpose of this review is to introduce methodologies used to derive arterial stiffness, to describe clinical significance of this measure, and to review the impacts of habitual physical activity on central artery stiffness.