Central blood pressure and peripheral augmentation index following acute submaximal arm versus leg exercise

Aerobic exercises like running and cycling may lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through favorable effects on central blood pressure and vascular function. Arm ergometry is a popular exercise modality used in rehabilitation settings, but little is known regarding the central hemodynamic and vascular effects of this form of exercise.

To compare the acute effects of leg versus arm exercise on central blood pressure and vascular function.

Twenty-one participants (n = 11 female, Age 21 ± 3, BMI 24.5 ± 3.2 kg/m²) completed two visits to the Human Performance Laboratory. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), central diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), and peripheral augmentation index (pAIx) were measured using a brachial oscillometric blood pressure cuff with measures being taken before and after 20 min of acute moderate-intensity (submaximal) arm or leg cycling exercise.

There was a condition-by-time interaction for pAIx (p = 0.011). pAIx slightly increased following arm exercise but significantly decreased following leg exercise. There was a condition-by-time interaction for cDBP (p = 0.011). cDBP significantly decreased following arm exercise but increased immediately following leg exercise. There was no condition-by-time interaction for cSBP (p = 0.721). There were similar acute increases in cSBP immediately post-exercise for both conditions.

Arm exercise increased pAlx and decreased cDBP compared to leg exercise. As an increase in pAIx may increase left ventricular work and a reduction in cDBP may reduce coronary perfusion pressure, these findings suggest that a single bout of arm exercise may not have the same favorable acute effect on central hemodynamic load as a single bout of leg exercise.