What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether maintaining an active lifestyle enhances carotid baroreflex function in elderly adults and whether differences stem from altered arterial baroreceptor function or central autonomic modulation.

February 1, 2008Experimental Biology and Medicine

Physically Active Lifestyle Enhances Vagal-Cardiac Function but Not Central Autonomic Neural Interaction in Elderly Humans

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Why the study?

Does a physically active lifestyle improve carotid baroreflex function in elderly men compared to a sedentary lifestyle?

Key Points

To determine whether maintaining an active lifestyle enhances carotid baroreflex function in elderly adults and whether differences stem from altered arterial baroreceptor function or central autonomic modulation.
Assessed 8 sedentary (SED, 68±2 years, peak VO2 25.5±1.2 ml/min/kg) and 8 physically active (ACT, 68±1 years, peak VO2 35.7±2.4 ml/min/kg; P<0.01) healthy elderly men.
Tested carotid baroreceptor function using 5-second pulses of neck pressure or suction (+40 to -80 Torr) at rest and during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of -15 and -40 Torr to measure heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) gains.
Overall CBR-HR gains across ~120 mmHg carotid sinus pressure were significantly greater in ACT than SED both at rest and during LBNP (P<0.01), with resting peak CBR-HR slopes of -0.32±0.07 vs -0.11±0.02 bpm/mmHg (P=0.007).
Carotid baroreflex blood pressure regulation did not differ between cohorts, showing no significant difference in CBR-MAP gains (P=0.37).
LBNP failed to augment CBR-MAP gain (P=0.08) or CBR-HR gain (P=0.41) in either group, indicating absent central autonomic interaction regardless of fitness.

Structured PICO

Does a physically active lifestyle improve carotid baroreflex function in elderly men compared to a sedentary lifestyle?

Population

16 healthy elderly men (8 sedentary, mean age 68+/-2 yr; 8 physically active, mean age 68+/-1 yr)

Intervention

Physically active lifestyle (peak O2 consumption 35.7+/-2.4 ml/min/kg)

Comparator

Sedentary lifestyle (peak O2 consumption 25.5+/-1.2 ml/min/kg)

Outcome

Carotid baroreceptor (CBR) function assessed by changes in heart rate (CBR-HR gain) and mean arterial pressure (CBR-MAP gain) at rest and during lower body negative pressuresurrogate

A physically active lifestyle in elderly men enhances vagal-cardiac baroreflex sensitivity but does not alter central autonomic interaction in blood pressure control.

Discussion

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Implication

Physical activity associated with enhanced vagal baroreflex sensitivity in elderly men; hypothesis-generating, requires prospective trials before practice implications.

Cite This Study

Shi et al. (2008) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8382306524aee222604e0a https://doi.org/10.3181/0704-rm-106

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Implication

Physical activity associated with enhanced vagal baroreflex sensitivity in elderly men; hypothesis-generating, requires prospective trials before practice implications.

Physically Active Lifestyle Enhances Vagal-Cardiac Function but Not Central Autonomic Neural Interaction in Elderly Humans

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Physically Active Lifestyle Enhances Vagal-Cardiac Function but Not Central Autonomic Neural Interaction in Elderly Humans

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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