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

Purpose: The aim of this study Aas 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, Methods: 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 ((V) over dot O-2peak). sum of 7 maximal voluntary contractions and the sum of 8 skinfolds and 5 segment girths vv ere determined at entry, crossover. and 16 Ak. 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. Results: Training did not alter ACh or SNP responses. (V) over dot O-2peak (28.6 +/- 1.1 to 32.6 +/- 1.3 mL(.)kg(-1.)mm(-1), P < 0.001), exercise test duration (17.4 +/- 1.1 to 22.1 +/- 1.2 min, P < 0.001), and muscular strength (465 +/- 27 to 535 +/- 27 kg, P <0.001) significantly increased after the exercise program, whereas skinfolds decreased (144 +/- 10 vs 134 +/- 9 min, P < 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that moderate intensity circuit training designed to minimize the involvement of the arms improves functional capacity. bode 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.