Cross-sectional Comparison Of Hemodynamic Indices, Inflammation, And Aerobic Capacity In Different Types Of Habitual Exercise-trained Men

PURPOSE: Arterial stiffness and inflammation status is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The relationship between arterial stiffness, inflammation, and aerobic capacity induced by different types of habitual exercise training is far from understood. By using a cross-sectional study design, we aimed to investigate the differences in vascular function on different habitual exercise-trained men, and to examine the associations between aerobic capacity, inflammation, and arterial stiffness indices. METHODS: Ninety-eight men aged 18 to 40 years with at least one year of regular exercise training were included in the study. After blood draw, all subjects were divided into mixed exercise (aerobic and resistance training, COM; age: 24 ± 3 yrs, WHR: 0.80 ± 0.05, N = 23), aerobic training (AT; age: 24 ± 6 yrs, WHR: 0.81 ± 0.05, N = 31), and resistance training (RT; age: 23 ± 3 yrs, WHR: 0.82 ± 0.05, N = 44) according to self-reported questionnaire. Their peak maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak), hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity), blood inflammation-related leukocyte subpopulations (monocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) were also measured and used for association analyses. RESULTS: The RT group had higher mean blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure than the other 2 groups; their VO2peak was also significantly lower. VO2peak showed a high negative correlation with mean arterial pressure (r = -0.31, p < 0.05), and a negative correlation with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.26, p < 0.05) when the groups were combined. BaPWV showed positive correlations with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.31), monocyte (r = 0.25), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (r = 0.26, p < 0.05). It was also negatively correlated with lymphocytes (r = -0.29) and white blood cells (r = -0.23, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Habitual resistance-trained only individuals showed higher hemodynamic indices than other regular exercise groups. BaPWV showed a significant negative correlation with VO2peak, indicating that those with lower aerobic capacity also had higher arterial stiffness. Aerobic exercise-trained appear to have better glycemic and lipid control, which may be associated with lower arterial stiffness.