Abstract
Objectives
Whereas evidence exists about the benefits of intensive exercise on cardiovascular outcomes in older adults, data are lacking regarding long-term effects of physical fitness and physical activity on cardiovascular health. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal association of physical fitness, physical activity and muscle strength with arterial stiffness measures.
Design
a longitudinal follow-up study (2 years) of data from the B-PROOF study.
Setting
a subgroup of the B-PROOF study (n=497).
Participants
Four hundred ninety-seven participants with a mean age of 72.1 years (SD 5.4) of which 57% was male.
Measurements
All performed at baseline and after two-year follow-up. Arterial stiffness was estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured with applanation tonometry. Furthermore, augmentation index (AIx) and aortic pulse pressure (PP) were assessed. Physical activity was estimated using a validated questionnaire regarding daily activities. Physical fitness was measured with a physical performance score, resulting from a walking, chair-stand and balance test. Muscle strength was assessed with hand-grip strength using a handheld dynamometer.
Results
The median performance score was 9.0 [IQR 8.0–11.0], the mean physical activity was 744.4 (SD 539.4) kcal/day and the mean hand-grip strength was 33.1 (SD 10.2) kg. AIx differed between the baseline and follow-up measurement (26.2% (SD 10.1) vs. 28.1% (SD 9.9); p < 0.01), whereas PWV and aortic PP did not. In multivariable linear regression analysis, physical performance, physical activity and hand-grip strength at baseline were not associated with the amount of arterial stiffness after two years of follow-up.
Conclusion
Physical fitness, activity and muscle strength were not associated with arterial stiffness. More research is warranted to elucidate the long-term effects of daily and intensive physical activity on arterial stiffness in an elderly population.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL et al. Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A statement from the council on clinical cardiology (subcommittee on exercise, rehabilitation, and prevention) and the council on nutrition, physical activity, and metabolism (subcommittee on physical activity). Circulation 2003;107:3109–3116.
Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S et al. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): Case-control study. Lancet 2004;364:937–952.
Smith JK, Dykes R, Douglas JE et al. Long-term exercise and atherogenic activity of blood mononuclear cells in persons at risk of developing ischemic heart disease. JAMA 1999;281:1722–1727.
Houde SC, Melillo KD. Cardiovascular health and physical activity in older adults: An integrative review of research methodology and results. J Adv Nurs 2002;38:219–234.
Mattace-Raso FU, van der Cammen TJ, Hofman A et al. Arterial stiffness and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: The rotterdam study. Circulation 2006;113:657–663.
Figueroa A, Kalfon R, Madzima TA et al. Whole-body vibration exercise training reduces arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with prehypertension and hypertension. Menopause 2013.
Figueroa A, Park SY, Seo DY et al. Combined resistance and endurance exercise training improves arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and muscle strength in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2011;18:980–984.
Gando Y, Yamamoto K, Murakami H et al. Longer time spent in light physical activity is associated with reduced arterial stiffness in older adults. Hypertension 2010;56:540–546.
Williams AD, Ahuja KD, Almond JB et al. Progressive resistance training might improve vascular function in older women but not in older men. J Sci Med Sport 2013;16:76–81.
Tanaka H, Safar ME. Influence of lifestyle modification on arterial stiffness and wave reflections. Am J Hypertens 2005;18:137–144.
van Wijngaarden JP, Dhonukshe-Rutten RA, van Schoor NM et al. Rationale and design of the B-PROOF study, a randomized controlled trial on the effect of supplemental intake of vitamin B12 and folic acid on fracture incidence. BMC Geriatr 2011;11:80–2318-11-80.
Guralnik JM, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L et al. A short physical performance battery assessing lower extremity function: Association with self-reported disability and prediction of mortality and nursing home admission. J Gerontol 1994;49:M85–94.
Puts MT, Lips P, Deeg DJ. Static and dynamic measures of frailty predicted decline in performance-based and self-reported physical functioning. J Clin Epidemiol 2005;58:1188–1198.
Stel VS, Smit JH, Pluijm SM et al. Balance and mobility performance as treatable risk factors for recurrent falling in older persons. J Clin Epidemiol 2003;56:659–668.
van Schoor NM, Smit JH, Pluijm SM et al. Different cognitive functions in relation to falls among older persons. immediate memory as an independent risk factor for falls. J Clin Epidemiol 2002;55:855–862.
Stel VS, Smit JH, Pluijm SM et al. Comparison of the LASA physical activity questionnaire with a 7-day diary and pedometer. J Clin Epidemiol 2004;57:252–258.
Van Bortel LM, Laurent S, Boutouyrie P et al. Expert consensus document on the measurement of aortic stiffness in daily practice using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. J Hypertens 2012;30:445–448.
Levey AS, Bosch JP, Lewis JB et al. A more accurate method to estimate glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine: A new prediction equation. modification of diet in renal disease study group. Ann Intern Med 1999;130:461–470.
Steenland K, Deddens JA. A practical guide to dose-response analyses and risk assessment in occupational epidemiology. Epidemiology 2004;15:63–70.
Cheung CL, Nguyen US, Au E et al. Association of handgrip strength with chronic diseases and multimorbidity: A cross-sectional study. Age (Dordr) 2012.
Rantanen T, Masaki K, He Q et al. Midlife muscle strength and human longevity up to age 100 years: A 44-year prospective study among a decedent cohort. Age (Dordr) 2012;34:563–570.
de Bree A, van der Put NM, Mennen LI et al. Prevalences of hyperhomocysteinemia, unfavorable cholesterol profile and hypertension in european populations. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005;59:480–488.
van Dijk SC, Enneman AW, Swart KM et al. Effects of 2-year vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation in hyperhomocysteinemic elderly on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular outcomes within the B-PROOF trial. Submitted to Circulation.
Gepner AD, Ramamurthy R, Krueger DC et al. A prospective randomized controlled trial of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk. PLoS One 2012;7:e36617.
Shephard RJ. Limits to the measurement of habitual physical activity by questionnaires. Br J Sports Med 2003;37:197–206; discussion 206.
Reference values for arterial stiffness’ collaboration. Determinants of pulse wave velocity in healthy people and in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors: ‘establishing normal and reference values’. Eur Heart J 2010;31:2338–2350.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Dijk, S.C., Swart, K.M.A., Ham, A.C. et al. Physical fitness, activity and hand-grip strength are not associated with arterial stiffness in older individuals. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 779–784 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0519-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0519-7