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Arterial stiffness and augmentation index are associated with balance function in young adults

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Abstract

Objective

Arterial stiffness and pulsatile central hemodynamics have been shown to affect various aspects of physical function, such as exercise capacity, gait speed, and motor control. The aim of this study was to examine the potential association between arterial stiffness and balance function in healthy younger men and women.

Methods

112 participants (age = 21 ± 4 years, n = 78 women) underwent measures of arterial stiffness, pulsatile central hemodynamics, balance function and physical fitness in this cross-sectional study. Postural sway was measured in triplicate while participants stood on a foam surface with their eyes closed for 20 s. The average total center of pressure path length from the three trials was used for analysis. Measures of vascular function were estimated using an oscillometric blood pressure device while at rest and included pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and pulse pressure amplification. Measures of physical fitness used as covariates in statistical models included handgrip strength determined from a handgrip dynamometer, lower-body flexibility assessed using a sit-and-reach test, estimated maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) using heart rate and a step test, and body fat percentage measured from air displacement plethysmography.

Results

The results from linear regression indicated that after considering sex, mean arterial pressure, body fat, estimated VO2max, handgrip strength, and sit-and-reach, PWV (β = 0.44, p < 0.05) and AIx (β = − 0.25, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of postural sway, explaining 10.2% of the variance.

Conclusion

Vascular function is associated with balance function in young adults independent of physical fitness. Increased arterial stiffness may negatively influence balance, while wave reflections may be protective for balance.

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Data availability

De-identified data are available upon request.

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Funding

Funding for this study provided by the National Institutes of Health—National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD R03MD011306).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Science, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA

    Burak T. Cilhoroz, Andrew R. Heckel, Jacob P. DeBlois, Allison Keller & Kevin S. Heffernan

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Training, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Jacob J. Sosnoff

Authors
  1. Burak T. Cilhoroz
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  2. Andrew R. Heckel
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  3. Jacob P. DeBlois
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  4. Allison Keller
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  6. Kevin S. Heffernan
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Contributions

BTC contributed to statistical analyses, results interpretation, manuscript writing and reviewing; ARH contributed to manuscript conceptualization, initial statistical analyses and interpretation, and manuscript reviewing; JPD contributed to study design conceptualization, data collection, statistical analyses, results interpretation, and manuscript reviewing; APK contributed to data collection; JJS contributed to results interpretation and manuscript reviewing; KSH contributed to study design conceptualization, data collection, statistical analyses, results interpretation, manuscript writing and reviewing, and acquisition of funding.

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Correspondence to Kevin S. Heffernan.

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Cilhoroz, B.T., Heckel, A.R., DeBlois, J.P. et al. Arterial stiffness and augmentation index are associated with balance function in young adults. Eur J Appl Physiol 123, 891–899 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05116-w

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