Acute Effect of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Fine Particulate Matter Environment: A Pilot Study

Abstract

PURPOSE:This study aimed to examine the effect of one bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness under ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure.METHODS: In a randomized crossover design, seven healthy young men performed 30 minutes of treadmill running at 70% of heart rate peak under high PM2.5 and low PM2.5 exposure. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, a measure of pulse wave reflection before and after each exercise intervention.RESULTS: Regardless of the PM2.5 exposure, brachial systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased in response to one bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (<i>p</i><.05). However, the augmentation index adjusted at a heart rate of 75 beats/min, central diastolic blood pressure, central mean arterial pressure, and brachial diastolic blood pressure were increased after one bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise under the high PM2.5 condition (<i>p</i><.05).CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at the high PM2.5 level may result in acute negative arterial stiffness and blood pressure responses even in healthy young men.