Aerobic exercise training significantly improved flow-mediated dilation by 1.02-1.5% across three dose groups compared to a -0.5% change in the non-exercise control group (p<0.05).
RCT (n=155)
randomly assigned
Does aerobic exercise training improve endothelial function in sedentary obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure?
Aerobic exercise training for 6 months significantly improves endothelial function in obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure, particularly those with baseline endothelial dysfunction.
p-value: p=<0.05
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of three different doses of aerobic exercise training (corresponding to approximately 50%, 100% and 150% of the National Institutes of Health consensus guidelines) on endothelial function in sedentary obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure. Aerobic exercise training improves endothelial function in individuals with cardiovascular risk; however, it is unknown whether these adaptations occur in a dose-dependent manner. METHODS: Obese postmenopausal women (n=155) with elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure between 120 and 159.0 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 4, 8 or 12 kilocalories per kilogram of energy expenditure per week (kcal/kg/week) or a non-exercise control group for 6 months. Endothelial function was assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: After exercise training, there was a similar improvement (1.02-1.5%) in FMD in all three exercise groups (p<0.05) compared with control (-0.5%). Change in FMD after exercise training was significantly correlated with FMD at baseline (r= -0.35, p<0.001). Post hoc analyses found a significant improvement in FMD in exercisers (all exercise groups combined) with endothelial dysfunction (FMD < 5.5%) at baseline (1.8%, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.38; p<0.001) compared with exercisers with normal endothelial function (FMD ≥ 5.5%) (-1.2%; 95% CI: -1.17 to 0.69; p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise training was associated with improved FMD in postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure. In addition, exercise training may be more efficacious in improving endothelial function in postmenopausal women with endothelial dysfunction than individuals with normal endothelial function at baseline.
Swift et al. (Thu,) conducted a rct in Elevated blood pressure in sedentary obese postmenopausal women (n=155). Aerobic exercise training vs. Non-exercise control was evaluated on Change in endothelial function assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (p=<0.05). Aerobic exercise training significantly improved flow-mediated dilation by 1.02-1.5% across three dose groups compared to a -0.5% change in the non-exercise control group (p<0.05).