Improvements in arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilatation by concurrent training are independent of body weight changes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.117115Keywords:
Arterial hypertension, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, flow-mediated dilation, obesityAbstract
Introduction: Although exercise is known to improve vascular outcomes associated with weight loss, there is limited evidence of whether similar benefits occur in the absence of weight loss.
Objective: To examine the effects of 6-week concurrent training on pulse wave velocity (PWV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in adults who were responders and nonresponders to ‘weight loss’ to exercise.
Methodology: A secondary analysis of an experimental randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 adult participants (BMI: 29.7 kg/m2) reported into 3 groups; weight loss responders’ (WLRET, n=14), ‘weight loss nonresponders to exercise’ (WLNRET, n=14), and a control group (CG, n=30). Participants underwent a 6-week intervention consisting of three sessions per week of concurrent high-intensity interval and resistance training where delta changes (∆) of pulse wave velocity (∆PWV) and flow-mediated dilation (∆FMD) were reported.
Results: After intervention and comparing groups WLRET vs. WLNRET, there were similar significant changes in outcomes; ∆PWV (˗0.9 vs. ˗0.8 m/s-1), ∆FMD (6.5 vs. 6.5%), both outcomes different vs. CG P<0.05. Likewise, the prevalence of responders and nonresponders was comparable ∆PWV (Rs: 78.5%; NRs 21.4%) and ∆FMD (Rs: 57.1%; NRs 42.8%). Despite significant superior ∆DBP decreases in WLNRET (˗5.5 mmHg vs. ˗1.3 mmHg, P<0.05), no other differences were detected for other outcomes.
Conclusions: Adult participants classified as weight loss nonresponders (WLNRET) also experienced reductions in ∆PWV and increased the ∆FMD in similar physiological adaptations to WLRET. These findings are supported by additional benefits observed in WLNRET, including reductions in blood pressure and improvements in vascular function.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Cristian Alvarez, Pedro Delgado-Floody, Christian Campos-Jara, Cristóbal Durán-Marín, Daniel Jerez-Mayorga, David C. Andrade, Cristian Caparros-Manosalva, Gabriel Marzuca-Nassr, Omar Andrade-Mayorga, Gabriel Rojas Rojas
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