Effect of aerobic exercise training on pulse wave velocity in adults with and without long-term conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Rationale: There is conflicting evidence whether aerobic exercise training (AET) reduces pulse wave velocity (PWV) in adults with and without long-term conditions (LTCs).
Objective: To explore whether PWV improves with AET in adults with and without LTC, to quantify the magnitude of any effect and understand the influence of the exercise prescription.
Data sources: CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE were among the databases searched.
Eligibility criteria: We included studies with a PWV measurement before and after supervised AET of at least 3 weeks duration. Exclusion criteria included resistance exercise and alternative measures of arterial stiffness.
Design: Controlled trials were included in a random effects meta-analysis to explore the effect of AET on PWV. Uncontrolled studies were included in a secondary meta-analysis and meta-regression exploring the effect of patient and programme factors on change in PWV. The relevant risk of bias tool was used for each study design.
Results: 79 studies (n=3729) were included: 35 controlled studies (21 randomised control trials (RCT) (n=1240) and 12 non-RCT (n=463)) and 44 uncontrolled (n=2026). In the controlled meta- analysis, PWV was significantly reduced following AET (mean (SD) 11 (7) weeks) in adults with and without LTC (mean difference -0.63; 95% CI -0.82 to -0.44; p<0.0001). PWV was similarly reduced between adults with and without LTC (p<0.001). Age, but not specific programme factors, was inversely associated with a reduction in PWV -0.010 (-0.020 to -0.010) m/s, p<0.001.
Discussion: Short-term AET similarly reduces PWV in adults with and without LTC. Whether this effect is sustained and the clinical implications require further investigation.
Citations
Altmetric:
Date
2023-12-14
Type
Article
Subject
Meta-Analysis, Risk Factors, Systematic Reviews as Topic
Collections
Citation
Bakali, M., Ward, T. C., Daynes, E., Jones, A. V., Hawthorne, G. M., Latimer, L., Divall, P., Graham-Brown, M., McCann, G. P., Yates, T., Steiner, M. C., & Evans, R. A. (2023). Effect of aerobic exercise training on pulse wave velocity in adults with and without long-term conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Open heart, 10(2), e002384. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2023-002384