Exercise training, vascular function, and functional capacity in middle-aged subjects

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Abstract
MAIORANA, A., G. O’DRISCOLL, L. DEMBO, C. GOODMAN, R. TAYLOR, and D. GREEN. Exercise training, vascular function, and functional capacity in middle-aged subjects. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 12, 2001, pp. 2022–2028. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 wk of exercise training on functional capacity, muscular strength, body composition, and vascular function in sedentary but healthy subjects by using a randomized, crossover protocol. After familiarization sessions, 19 subjects aged 47 ± 2 yr (mean ± SE) undertook a randomized, crossover design study of the effect of 8 wk of supervised circuit training consisting of combined aerobic and resistance exercise. Peak oxygen uptake (&OV03122peak), sum of 7 maximal voluntary contractions and the sum of 8 skinfolds and 5 segment girths were determined at entry, crossover, and 16 wk. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vascular function were determined by forearm strain-gauge plethysmography and intrabrachial infusions of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in 16 subjects. Training did not alter ACh or SNP responses. &OV03122peak (28.6 ± 1.1 to 32.6 ± 1.3 mL·kg−1·min−1, P P These results suggest that moderate intensity circuit training designed to minimize the involvement of the arms improves functional capacity, body composition, and strength in healthy, middle-aged subjects without significantly influencing upper limb vascular function. This finding contrasts with previous studies in subjects with type 2 diabetes and heart failure that employed an identical training program.