The impact of the 24-h movement spectrum on vascular remodeling in older men and women: a review

Abstract

Aging is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, which are preceded by early, negative remodeling of the vasculature. Low physical activity is a well-established risk factor associated with the incidence and development of disease. However, recent physical activity literature indicates the importance of considering the 24-hour movement spectrum. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to examine the impact of the 24-hour movement spectrum, specifically physical activity (aerobic and resistance training), sedentary behaviour, and sleep, on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes in older adults, with a focus on recent evidence (<10 years) and sex-based considerations. The review identified that both aerobic training and being physically active (compared to sedentary) are associated with improvements in endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and cerebrovascular function. Additionally, there is evidence of sex-based differences in endothelial function: a blunted improvement in aerobic training in postmenopausal women compared to men. While minimal research has been conducted in older adults, resistance training does not appear to influence arterial stiffness. Poor sleep quantity or quality are associated with both impaired endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness. Finally, the review highlights mechanistic pathways involved in the regulation of vascular and cerebrovascular function - specifically the balance between pro- and anti-atherogenic factors, which mediate the relationship between the 24-hour movement spectrum and vascular outcomes. Finally, this review proposes future research directions: examining the role of duration and intensity of training, combining aerobic and resistance training, and exploration to sex-based differences in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes.

Physiological Responses to Low-Volume Interval Training in Women

“…Lastly, across the studies included in the present review, participants were referred to by a combination of gender (e.g., men, women) and/or sex (e.g., male, female) terms. As we cannot ascertain whether these studies collected information regarding biological sex, the terms women and men are used to describe individuals in the present review, rather than female and male, consistent with others [ 23 ].…”

Therapeutic Quality Affects Physical Fitness Benefits of Home Exercise Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

“…The therapeutic effects of exercise on mitigating functional limitations and maintaining health are wellknown in older adults. 9,25,72 This review of 36 RCTs adds to the body of evidence and specifically focuses on home-based exercise interventions and was the first to consider therapeutic quality and evaluate the certainty of evidence. Our findings suggest that home-based exercise may improve upper-and lower-body musculoskeletal and aerobic fitness in noninstitutionalized older adults.…”

“…Exercise training has consistently been shown to improve cardiovascular9 and musculoskeletal health10 for older adults, which often translates to improved physical functioning 11. Furthermore, increased participation in physical activity and exercise is associated with lower health care utilization12 and costs in older adults 13.…”