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Effects of aging, gender, and physical training on peripheral vascular function
W H Martin1, T Ogawa, W M Kohrt
1Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Circulation
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Aging increases blood pressure and reduces vasodilatory capacity, particularly in women. Regular physical training, however, improves vascular function across all ages and genders.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Aging Research
Background:
- Blood pressure and total peripheral resistance naturally increase with age.
- The impact of aging on vasodilatory capacity remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging, gender, and physical training on peripheral vascular function.
- To characterize age-related changes in blood pressure and vasodilatory capacity.
Main Methods:
- Measured blood pressure during submaximal and maximal treadmill exercise.
- Assessed blood pressure, calf blood flow, and calf conductance at rest and during maximal hyperemia.
- Compared sedentary and endurance-trained men and women across different age groups (25 and 65 years).
Main Results:
- Older subjects exhibited higher resting and exercise blood pressures compared to younger subjects.
- Age-related increases in exercise blood pressure were more pronounced in women.
- Reduced maximal calf conductance was associated with increased age in women, but not men.
- Physical training significantly enhanced calf vasodilatory capacity in all participants.
- Maximal calf conductance inversely correlated with exercise blood pressure and directly correlated with maximal oxygen uptake.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral vascular function is influenced by an interaction between age and gender.
- Physical training independently improves vascular function irrespective of age and gender.
- These findings highlight the importance of physical activity in mitigating age-related vascular changes.