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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-05-2021 | Original Article

Acute mental stress-caused arterial stiffening can be counteracted by brief aerobic exercise

Authors: Daisuke Kume, Masato Nishiwaki, Norio Hotta, Hiroshi Endoh

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Acute mental stress (MS) causes an elevation in pulse wave velocity (PWV), an index of arterial stiffness. In contrast, aerobic exercise acutely decreases arterial stiffness, even in the short term. The present study aimed to examine whether acute MS-caused arterial stiffening can be counteracted by brief aerobic exercise.

Methods

Thirteen young healthy men (mean age, 20 ± 1 years) participated in two randomized experimental visits where they were subjected to acute MS followed by seated rest (RE) or cycling exercise (EX) trials. Following a 5-min MS task, the participants in the RE trial rested on a chair for 10 min (from 10 to 20 min after the cessation of the task), whereas those in the EX trial cycled at 35% of heart rate reserve for the same duration. Heart-brachial PWV (hbPWV), brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), heart-ankle PWV (haPWV), and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) were simultaneously measured at baseline and 5, 30, and 45 min after the task.

Results

Both trials caused significant elevations (P < 0.05) in hbPWV, haPWV, and CAVI at 5 min after the task; subsequently, this persisted until 45 min after the task in the RE trial, whereas the elevations in the EX trial were eliminated. In the RE trial, baPWV significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 30 and 45 min after the task, whereas such an increase was not observed in the EX trial.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study reveal that brief aerobic exercise counteracts arterial stiffening caused by acute MS.

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Title: Acute mental stress-caused arterial stiffening can be counteracted by brief aerobic exercise
Authors: Daisuke Kume
Masato Nishiwaki
Norio Hotta
Hiroshi Endoh
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04618-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Acute mental stress-caused arterial stiffening can be counteracted by brief aerobic exercise

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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