Accumulated brisk walking reduces arterial stiffness in overweight adults: Evidence from a randomized control trial

Therese M Kearney, Marie H Murphy, Gareth Davison, Maurice J. O'Kane, Alison M Gallagher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Arterial stiffness is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to examine whether 6 months of accumulated (3 × 10 minutes, 5 days/week) brisk walking was sufficient to reduce arterial stiffness in sedentary, overweight individuals. Seventy-seven individuals (19 men, 58 women; age, 30-55 years) were randomly allocated to one of three groups; two groups completed 30 minutes of accumulated walking with either monthly or weekly telephone support; the third group (control) performed stretching exercises. The walking groups were combined and telephone support included as a covariate. Anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), blood lipids, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and NOx (surrogate marker for nitric oxide) were measured at baseline, post-intervention and 4 months post-intervention. No changes were observed for anthropometry, BP, or lipids. However, at the end of the intervention, there was a decrease in PWV (P < .001) accompanied by an increase in NOx (P < .001), with changes maintained 4 months post-intervention. A strong negative correlation between PWV and NOx was also observed (P < .001; r = −0.65). A lifestyle approach to meeting current physical activity guidelines results in favorable alterations in arterial function in overweight individuals.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-126
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Society of Hypertension
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Feb 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Pulse wave velocity
  • Exercise
  • moderate activity
  • Nitric Oxide

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