The relationship between arterial stiffness and maximal oxygen consumption in healthy young adults

Objective: Arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in various populations. There was little research on the relationship between arterial stiffness and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) in healthy young adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between VO2max and arterial stiffness in young adults. Methods: The subjects were 13 men and 10 women with mean age of 22.9 ± 0.7, 23.6 ± 0.4 years, respectively. Height, weight, body mass index, body fat (%), waist to hip ratio, total/high density lipoprotein (HDL)/low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, glycated hemoglobin and blood lactate were measured. In addition, peripheral arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and VO2max was determined using graded exercise test. Results: VO2max had no significant correlation with baPWV (r = 0.2, p = 0.2). Total cholesterol correlated significantly to variables such as HDL (r = 0.6, p = 0.0015) and LDL cholesterol (r = −0.6, p = 0.0018). VO2max had a significant association with triglyceride (r = −0.5, p = 0.0033). Conclusions: This study suggests that there is no relationship between arterial stiffness and aerobic capacity in healthy young adults. Keywords: Arterial stiffness, Aerobic capacity, baPWV, VO2ma