Systemic Vascular Function Is Associated with Muscular Power in Older Adults

Abstract

Age-associated loss of muscular strength and muscular power is a critical determinant of loss of physical function and progression to disability in older adults. In this study, we examined the association of systemic vascular function and measures of muscle strength and power in older adults. Measures of vascular endothelial function included brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and the pulse wave amplitude reactive hyperemia index (PWA-RHI). Augmentation index (AIx) was taken as a measure of systemic vascular function related to arterial stiffness and wave reflection. Measures of muscular strength included one repetition maximum (1RM) for a bilateral leg press. Peak muscular power was measured during 5 repetitions performed as fast as possible for bilateral leg press at 40% 1RM. Muscular power was associated with brachial FMD (r = 0.43, P < 0.05), PWA-RHI (r = 0.42, P < 0.05), and AIx (r = −0.54, P < 0.05). Muscular strength was not associated with any measure of vascular function. In conclusion, systemic vascular function is associated with lower-limb muscular power but not muscular strength in older adults. Whether loss of muscular power with aging contributes to systemic vascular deconditioning or vascular dysfunction contributes to decrements in muscular power remains to be determined.

A single dose of dietary nitrate increases maximal muscle speed and power in healthy older men and women

“…These changes are accompanied by an age-related reduction in flow-mediated vasodilation (11,12), perhaps the hallmark indicator of NO bioavailability. In turn, the latter (i.e., flow-mediated vasodilation) has been shown to correlate positively with muscular power and physical functioning in older men and women (13). Taken together, these data suggest that decreased NO production may contribute to the age-associated decline in muscle contractile properties and hence in functional capacity.…”

Arterial stiffness and sedentary lifestyle: Role of oxidative stress

“…PWV establishes the time delay between pressure waves occurring at proximal and distal sites along the aorta (mainly the carotid and femoral arteries). The faster the pressure wave travels along the aorta, the greater the AS is [3,8]. Mean PWV in healthy, normotensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] b 140 mm Hg) volunteers is 6.1 ± 1.4 m/s and significantly increases with age [9].…”

Various patterns of disrupted daily rest–activity rhythmicity associated with diabetes

“…In particular the latter complication, including micro-and macroangiopathies, can accelerate physical ageing in diabetes, and vessel function may be an important factor in the control of diurnal physical activity. For example, while large vessels presumably control physical activity by regulating the oxygen supply to organs (Heffernan et al, 2012;Palmieri et al, 2005), peripheral small vessels appear to have a physiological role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle mainly by conducting heat from the core of the body to the periphery (Kr€ auchi, 2007). With regard to micro-and macrovessels for the control of physical activity linked to sleep and circadian rhythms, the vasculature may act as a critical regulator of diurnal restactivity rhythmicity.…”