Combined aerobic and low-intensity resistance exercise training increases basal nitric oxide production and decreases arterial stiffness in healthy older adults

Meta-analyses have concluded that combined aerobic and high-intensity or moderate-intensity resistance exercise training has no effects on arterial stiffness. However, a recent study demonstrated that combined aerobic training and resistance training using rubber bands increases basal nitric oxide (NO) production and decreases arterial stiffness with marked reduction of body weight in obese adolescent girls. To investigate whether combined aerobic and low-intensity resistance training increases basal NO production and decreases arterial stiffness without body weight reduction in older adults, 27 healthy older individuals participated in a 6-week program as a part of the training group (mean body mass index, 21 kg/m2; walking and resistance training using one’s body weight) or the control group (22 kg/m2, asked not to modify their lifestyle). The exercise intervention increased aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and plasma concentrations of nitrite/nitrate (end products of NO) and decreased pulse wave velocity (an index of arterial stiffness) without changes in body weight. In the control group, there were no differences in these measures before and after the study period. These results suggest that combined aerobic and low-intensity resistance exercise training increases basal NO production and decreases arterial stiffness in healthy older adults.