Effect of resistance training combined with aerobic exercise on aortic arterial stiffness in older adults: a secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial

Aerobic exercise prior to resistance training is likely to have a preventive effect on arterial stiffening caused by resistance training alone. The purpose of this study was to examine, as secondary analysis, the effect of aerobic exercise before resistance training on aortic arterial stiffness in older adults. A total of 56 participants were randomized to resistance training (RT) group (n = 28) or aerobic exercise (AE) + RT group (n = 28). All participants attended a supervised exercise training program (RT or AE + RT) twice a week for 12 weeks and were given fortified milk. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) between carotid and femoral regions (e.g., aorta) and between femoral and ankle regions (e.g., leg). There was no significant difference between the two groups at all baseline measurements. After the intervention, although there was no significant interaction, carotid-femoral PWV was significantly increased only in the RT group (1032 ± 35 vs. 1072 ± 33 cm/sec, P < 0.05). Femoral-ankle PWV was not significantly changed in either group. Our findings reveal that resistance training significantly increases aortic arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral PWV); however, aerobic exercise before resistance training attenuates the aortic arterial stiffening in older adults. These results suggest that aerobic exercise before resistance training is likely to prevent the unfavorable effects of resistance training on vascular health in older adults.