Baseline arterial stiffness does not influence post-exercise reduction in pulse wave velocity

We manipulated baseline peripheral arterial stiffness via changes in local arterial pressure with different limb positions to test the hypothesis that the magnitude of decrease in arterial stiffness post exercise/compression would be less when baseline stiffness is higher with the arm below the heart. Brachial-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured with tonometers in 19 healthy volunteers before and after 5 min of rhythmic handgrip exercise or passive forearm compressions with the arm positioned below or above the heart. Brachial-radial PWV was reduced 5 min after handgrip exercise below (10.4 ± 2.6 to 8.7 ± 2.2 m/s) and above (6.4 ± 1.3 to 5.3 ± 1.0 m/s) the heart, with no difference between positions (p > 0.05). PWV was also reduced 5 min after passive compressions with the arm below (10.8 ± 2.0 to 9.8 ± 2.1 m/s) and above (7.5 ± 1.4 to 5.7 ± 1.1 m/s), with no difference between positions (p > 0.05). Changes in local arterial pressure associated with arm position resulted in differences in baseline PWV but did not affect the magnitude of reduction in PWV with exercise or compressions. Reductions in peripheral arterial stiffness observed after rhythmic handgrip exercise and passive compressions were independent of baseline arterial stiffness.