Acute effects of accumulated aerobic exercise on aortic and peripheral pulse wave velocity in young males

[Purpose] The present study investigates the acute effects of accumulated aerobic exercise on aortic and peripheral pulse wave velocity (PWV) in healthy young males. [Subjects and Methods] We gathered data from 9 healthy young males (age, 23.4 ± 0.6 years) performed aerobic exercise group (AE, 65% peak oxygen uptake; two 15 min bouts of cycling performed with 20 min rest) and control group (CON, seated and resting in a quiet room) on separate days in a randomized, controlled crossover fashion. Carotid-femoral (aortic) and femoral-ankle (peripheral) PWV, carotid augmentation index, carotid, brachial and ankle blood pressure and heart rate were measured before (baseline) and 20 min for both groups. [Results] Aortic and peripheral PWV decreased from baseline at 20 min for the AE group, but not in the CON group. [Conclusion] The present findings indicate that acute accumulated aerobic exercise decreases aortic and peripheral PWV in healthy young males.