The effect of exercise training level on arterial stiffness after clinically significant weight loss

Abstract

SummaryArterial stiffness is improved by weight loss. However, no data exist on the impact of aerobic exercise levels on arterial stiffness during weight maintenance. Adults who were overweight or with obesity (N = 39) participated in a 10‐week weight loss program. Participants who achieved ≥7% weight loss were randomized to aerobic training at the minimum physical activity guidelines (PA‐REC, 550 MET min/week) or weight maintenance guidelines (WM‐REC, 970 MET min/week) for 18 additional weeks. Arterial stiffness (carotid‐to‐femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV], augmentation index normalized for 75 beats/min [AIX75]) and blood pressure [aortic and brachial]) were assessed at baseline, the end of the weight loss phase (week 10), and follow‐up (week 28). There was a reduction in cfPWV in participants who met the weight loss goal (−0.34 m/s, p = .02) and approached significance for the entire sample (p = .051). Similarly, there were reductions in AIX75, brachial blood pressure, and aortic blood pressure (p < .05) in the full sample. In the weight maintenance phase, no differences were observed between the PA‐REC and the WM‐REC groups for change in arterial stiffness or blood pressure (p > .05). However, changes in cfPWV were independently associated with changes in LDL (r2: 0.45, p = .004) and exercise intensity (r2: 0.17, p = .033). Aerobic exercise level at the minimum physical activity guidelines or weight maintenance guidelines does not affect the change in PWV or the change in cfPWV after clinically significant weight loss. However, interventions which limit increases in LDL cholesterol and promote high‐intensity aerobic exercise may prevent increases in stiffness during weight maintenance.

The Role of TLR2 in Exercise-Induced Immunomodulation in normal weight individuals

“…Active individuals with higher levels of physical activity represented trends toward better cardiovascular health, as they were presented with signi cantly lower diastolic blood pressure and lower triglyceride levels in their plasma. Many compelling evidences support the therapeutic and protective effects of PA on the body, including the improvement of insulin sensitivity (29), the alleviation of plasma dyslipidemia (30), and the normalization of elevated blood pressure (31). Interestingly, active individuals were also presented with higher CD14 + TLR2 + cells in their circulation that were found to associate with both diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride plasma levels signi cantly and negatively.…”

The role of TLR2 in exercise-induced immunomodulation in normal weight individuals

“…Many compelling evidences support the therapeutic and protective effects of PA on the body, including the improvement of insulin sensitivity 35 , the alleviation of plasma dyslipidemia 36 , and the normalization of elevated blood pressure 37 . Interestingly, active individuals were also presented with higher CD14 + TLR2 + cells in their circulation that were found to associate with both diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride plasma levels significantly and negatively.…”

The BMI, fat percentage and total cholesterol of athletes: what is their status?

“…This blockage of blood vessels causes people to have strokes, either occur in the heart or brain. This stroke can be prevented by limiting the increase in LDL cholesterol and high-intensity aerobic exercise can prevent rigidity in weight control (Swift et al, 2023).…”