Aerobic Exercise Improves Microvascular Function in Older Adults

Microvascular function is reduced with age, disease, and inactivity. Exercise is well known to improve vascular health and has the potential to improve microvascular function in aging and disease. Purpose The study aimed to assess changes in peripheral microvascular function in sedentary older adults following aerobic exercise training. Methods Twenty-three, sedentary older adults (67±5 yrs, BMI=29±5, mean±SD) successfully completed a randomized 12-week graded treadmill walking intervention. The exercise group (EX) performed 40 minutes of uphill walking 4 days a week at 70% heart rate reserve. The control group (CON) maintained a sedentary lifestyle for 12 weeks. MRI measured blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) responses of the soleus were used to evaluate microvascular function; brief (1s) maximal plantar flexion contractions were performed. Separately, blood flow in the popliteal artery was measured by ultrasound following brief contraction. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the calf was used to examine muscle oxidative capacity and whole body peak oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) was used to confirm training induced cardiorespiratory adaptations. Results Peak post-contraction BOLD response increased by 33% in EX (PRE:3.3±1.0%, POST:4.4±1.4%) compared to CON (PRE:3.0±1.3%, POST:3.2±1.5%), p

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