Effects of short-term endurance training on aortic distensibility in young males.

Abstract

Short-term endurance exercise training can increase aortic distensibility. The effect of exercise on arterial distensibility, however, may not last long term. We evaluated the effects of short-term exercise training and detraining on aortic distensibility in 10 sedentary young males (21.0 +/- 0.6 yr, mean +/- SE; range 19-24 yr). The subjects underwent 8 wk of endurance training on a cycle ergometer at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)), for 60 min at a time and on alternate days (3-4 d.wk(-1). The detraining period consisted of a return to sedentary days for 8 wk. The aortic pulse wave velocity (APWV) was measured before and immediately after training and during the detraining period. The VO(2max) was significantly increased after training (pre: 2240.0 +/- 71.4 mL, after: 2728.8 +/- 82.5 mL, mean +/- SE, P < 0.0001) and remained at increased levels during the detraining period (after 4 wk: 2671.2 +/- 73.6 mL, P < 0.001; after 8 wk: 2628.0 +/- 85.0 mL, P < 0.001). The APWV was significantly decreased after training (pre: 5.80 +/- 0.15 m.s(-1), after: 5.50 +/- 0.21 m.s(-1), P < 0.01) but returned close to the baseline after detraining for 4 wk (5.66 +/- 0.13 m.s, P < 0.18). Our data suggest that short-term exercise training can improve aortic distensibility, but the effect cannot be maintained without continuing physical exercise.