P3.08 EFFECTS OF REGULAR LEISURE EXERCISE ON ARTERIAL PRESSURE AUGMENTATION. THE MONICA/KORA AUGSBURG STUDY

Abstract

Background: Exercise influences pulse wave morphology, but the mechanisms are unknown. Methods: We measured radial arterial pulse wave contour (SphygmoCorR) in 1005 adults from a cohort follow-up examination in 2004/5 and compared individuals who, by self report, were sedentary (NPE, of less than one hour of aerobic exercise per week, n=130) or who practiced irregular physical exercise (IPE, irregularly at least one hour of aerobic exercise per week, n=204) or regular physical exercise (RPE, regularly at least two hours of aerobic exercise per week, n=111). Aortic augmentation was evaluated using multivariate regression modeling. Individuals with intake of antihypertensive or hormonal medications were excluded. Results: After adjustment for concomitant factors, like gender, age, height2.7, total body weight, heart rate, central mean blood pressure and number of cigars consumed per day, lack of regular physical exercise was significantly associated to aortic augmentation, with 8.68 mmHg among NPE versus 7.68 mmHg in the IPE (p=0.035) and 6.84 mmHg in the RPE group (p=0.001). Likewise, the respective augmentation indexes were 22.9% (p=0.003), 22.5% (p=0,004) and 19.6%. Moreover, the RPE group presented the highest reflected wave travel time (RTT=144.9msec vs. 141.7 msec in IPE and 141.3 msec in NPE; p=0.012 and 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: Leisure exercise seems to be related to less aortic pressure augmentation and a longer reflected wave traveling time, an effect that potentially enhances ventricular-vascular coupling and reduces the after-load of the left ventricle.