Influence of group training frequency on arterial stiffness in elderly women

We evaluated the effects of different training frequencies on arterial stiffness. 77 elderly women (mean 68.8 years and 7.0 SD) were divided into two training (1DW and 2DW) and a CONTROL group (n = 23). 1DW (n = 29) participated in 90-min group training once a week for 12 weeks, while 2DW (n = 25) attended twice a week. Each training program included recreational activities, six to eight resistance exercises for circuit training, and leg exercises for chair-based exercise. Brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the brachial-to-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) were obtained in the supine position. Muscle strength and ventilatory threshold were also measured. After the training program, a reduction (P < 0.01) in baPWV was observed in 2DW (-7.8 +/- 7.0%) but not in 1DW (-1.5 +/- 7.5%) and CONTROL (-0.4 +/- 7.5%) without any changes in other measurements. The results suggest that, in order to improve arterial stiffness, an exercise frequency of at least twice a week is to be recommended for elderly.