Effect of low-intensity aerobic exercise training on arterial compliance in postmenopausal women

Regular aerobic exercise training attenuates age-related reduction in central arterial compliance, an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. We tested the hypothesis that even low-intensity exercise training could increase central arterial compliance in postmenopausal women. Using B-mode ultrasound, we studied the central arterial compliance of 15 postmenopausal females (age: 52-66 years) before and after a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention. Subjects performed aerobic exercise training of the same energy expenditure (cycle exercise, total 900 kcal/week, 3-5 sessions/week) at two different exercise intensities: 7 trained at low intensity (40% heart rate reserve: L-TR) and 8 trained at moderate intensity (70% heart rate reserve: M-TR). Arterial compliance increased after exercise training in the L-TR group (0.70 +/- 0.32 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.55 mm(2)/mmHg X 10(-1), p < 0.05) and in the M-TR group (0.82 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.14 +/- 0.39 mm(2)/mmHg X 10(-1), p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in increases of arterial compliance in either group (L-TR: 0.35 +/- 0.38 vs. M-TR: 0.32 +/- 0.33 mm(2)/mmHg X 10(-1)). These results suggest that the improvement of central arterial compliance by aerobic exercise training might not be influenced by the intensity of exercise training if the energy expenditure of the training is the same. Accordingly, even low-intensity exercise training may have the effect of improving central arterial compliance.