Improvement of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index by Arm-Swing Exercise in Older Adults

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the arm-swing exercise on cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), ankle-brachial index (ABI), heart rate and blood pressure (BP) in older adults with abnormal CAVI values.Material and Method: Seventeen participants aged 50 or over were asked to do the arm-swing exercise at least 30 minutes a day, at least 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The vascular function parameters, CAVI and ABI, resting heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and after exercising. The comparison of these parameters was performed using statistical analysis.Results: It was shown that the arm-swing exercise could lower both left and right CAVI significantly (left CAVI, pre: 10.0±0.2 vs. post: 9.7±0.2, p-value=0.017 and right CAVI, pre: 10.0±0.2 vs. post: 9.7±0.2, p-value=0.034). Furthermore, the arm-swing exercise also reduced arterial blood pressure and pulse pressure significantly (systolic BP, pre: 141.9±4.3 mmHg vs. post: 130.5±4.8 mmHg, p-value=0.004, diastolic BP, pre: 82.1±1.6 mmHg vs. post: 76.5±1.7 mmHg, p-value=0.003, and pulse pressure, pre: 59.7±3.7 vs. post: 54.0±4.0 mmHg, p-value=0.031). However, the study demonstrated that ABI, resting heart rate and body mass index were not affected by the exercise.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 8 weeks of the arm-swing exercise could lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This simple physical activity could also reduce CAVI values in older adults.