The early vascular adaptation to indoor cycling, a popular activity at many fitness centres, is incompletely evaluated. Forty two healthy women (21-45 years) underwent measurements of arterial wall properties and… Click to show full abstract
The early vascular adaptation to indoor cycling, a popular activity at many fitness centres, is incompletely evaluated. Forty two healthy women (21-45 years) underwent measurements of arterial wall properties and geometry as well as a maximal bicycle exercise test before and after a 3 months period during which 21 of the women joined indoor cycling classes at a gym 2-3 times per week, while 21 women served as time controls. Peak work load increased by in average 16% (p<0.001) and ascending aortic diameter by 4% (p<0.01) in the exercise group, while unchanged in control group. The exercise intervention had no significant influence on the local intima-media thickness, blood pressure or the pulse pressure wave configuration while the carotid artery distensibility (p<0.05) was higher after the intervention. There was a positive correlation between change in (Δ) peak work load and Δ-diameter of tubular ascending aorta (r=0.42, p<0.01) in the exercise group. In conclusion, after only 3 months of bicycle exercise training, signs of central arterial remodelling were seen in premenopausal women, which was associated to improvement in exercise capacity.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.