Lower estimates of myocardial perfusion are associated with greater aortic perivascular adipose tissue density in humans independent of aortic stiffness.

Aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT) density is associated with age-related aortic stiffness in humans and therefore, may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction. A lower subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), an estimate of myocardial perfusion, indicates greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and is associated with aortic stiffness in clinical populations. However, the influence of aortic stiffness on the relation between aPVAT density and SEVR/cardiovascular (CV) hemodynamics in apparently healthy adults is unknown. We hypothesize that greater aPVAT density will be associated with lower SEVR and higher CV hemodynamics independent of aortic stiffness. Fourteen (6 males/8 females; mean age, 55.4 ± 5.6 yr; body mass index, 25.5 ± 0.6 kg/m2) adults completed resting measures of myocardial perfusion (SEVR), CV hemodynamics (pulse wave analysis), aortic stiffness [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)], and a computed tomography scan to acquire aPVAT and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) density. Greater aPVAT density (i.e., higher density) was associated with lower SEVR (r = -0.78, P < 0.001) and a higher systolic pressure time integral (r = 0.49, P = 0.03), forward pulse height (r = 0.49, P = 0.03), reflected pulse height (r = 0.55, P = 0.02), ejection duration (r = 0.56, P = 0.02), and augmentation pressure (r = 0.69, P = 0.003), but not with the diastolic pressure time integral (r = -0.22, P = 0.22). VAT density was not associated with SEVR or any CV hemodynamic endpoints (all, P > 0.05). Furthermore, the relation between aPVAT density and SEVR remained after adjusting for aortic stiffness (r = -0.66, P = 0.01) but not age (r = -0.24, P > 0.05). These data provide initial evidence for aPVAT as a novel yet understudied local fat depot contributing to lower myocardial perfusion in apparently healthy adults with aging.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT) density is associated with aging and aortic stiffness in humans and, therefore, may contribute to lower myocardial perfusion. We demonstrate that greater aPVAT, but not visceral adipose tissue density is associated with lower myocardial perfusion and augmentation pressure independent of aortic stiffness, but not independent of age. These data provide novel evidence for aPVAT as a potential therapeutic target to improve myocardial perfusion and cardiovascular function in humans with aging.

Hypertension and Ventilatory Responses During Exercise in the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND).

BACKGROUND: A high minute ventilation/rate of carbon dioxide production (V̇E/V̇co2) slope during exercise is prognostic for cardiovascular death. Recent data indicate that adults with either controlled or untreated primary hypertension, but not those with uncontrolled hypertension, exhibit a higher V̇E/V̇co2 slope during exercise. However, the sample sizes were modest. Therefore, we used the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database to determine whether adults with hypertension, particularly those with controlled or untreated hypertension, exhibit higher V̇E/V̇co2 slopes compared with adults without hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database, we isolated primary hypertension by excluding those with any disease other than hypertension or taking any medications other than antihypertension medications. We also excluded current smokers and those with obesity. The V̇E/V̇co2 slope was determined during a peak cycling exercise test. All data are presented as median [interquartile range]. We compared groups using linear regression adjusted for age, male/female, and body mass index. The characteristics of the entire sample (n=4109) were age, 42 [18] years; 48% women; body mass index, 26 [4] kg/m2. The V̇E/V̇co2 slope did not differ between adults with hypertension (n=1940; 24.7 [3.7]) compared with those without hypertension (n=2169; 24.9 [3.8]) (hypertension versus no hypertension, P=0.31; overall model: R2=0.07, F4,4104=73.0; P<0.001). Further, the V̇E/V̇co2 slope did not differ between adults with medication-controlled hypertension (n=107; 24.4 [3.0]), untreated hypertension (n=1626; 24.8 [3.9]), uncontrolled hypertension (n=207; 24.8 [3.0]), or those without hypertension (n=2169; 24.9 [3.8]) (hypertension subgroup versus no hypertension, P≥0.06; overall model: R2=0.07, F6,4102=49.6, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary hypertension is not associated with V̇E/V̇co2 slope in the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database.

Evaluating current assessment techniques of cardiorespiratory fitness.

INTRODUCTION: Considerable and convincing global data from cohorts across the health spectrum (i.e. apparently healthy to known disease) indicate that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a major predictor of overall and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-survival, seemingly with greater prognostic resolution compared to other traditional CVD risk factors. Therefore, the assessment of CRF in research and clinical settings is of major importance. AREAS COVERED: In this manuscript, we review the technology of measuring CRF assessed by the 'gold standard,' cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), as well as with various other methods (e.g. estimated metabolic equivalents, 6-minute walk tests, shuttle tests, and non-exercise equations that estimate CRF), all of which provide significant prognostic information for CVD- and all-cause survival. The literature through May 2024 has been cited. EXPERT OPINION: The promotion of physical activity in efforts to improve levels of CRF is needed throughout the world to improve lifespan and, more importantly, healthspan. The routine assessment of CRF should be considered a vital sign that is routinely assessed in clinical practice.

Aortic Stiffness Is Associated With Higher Nighttime Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between aortic stiffening and brachial and central ambulatory blood pressure (AMBP) in a nonclinical sample of middle-aged and older adults (MA/O). We hypothesized aortic stiffness would be positively associated with 24-hr, daytime, and nighttime brachial and central AMBP. METHODS: Fifty-one participants aged ≥50 yr (21 males and 30 females, mean age 63.4 ± 9.0 yr) with a body mass index <35 kg/m 2 who also had a resting brachial blood pressure (BP) <160/100 mmHg with or without BP medications were recruited for this cross-sectional analysis. All participants underwent measures of aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV]) and 24-hr AMBP monitoring. Bivariate correlations assessed the relationship between cfPWV, brachial, and central AMBP. Partial correlations were used to independently adjust for traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including age, sex, waist circumference, glucose, and augmentation index normalized to heart rate 75 bpm, a surrogate measure of arterial stiffness, and in a multivariable combined model. RESULTS: Nighttime brachial systolic BP ( r = 0.31) and central systolic BP ( r = 0.30) were correlated with cfPWV in the multivariable combined model ( P ≤ .05). Nighttime brachial pulse pressure and central pulse pressure were correlated with cfPWV after independently adjusting for all CVD risk factors ( P ≤ .05, all) but not when combined in the multivariable model ( P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher nighttime brachial and central AMBP with older age are related, in part, to greater aortic stiffening. Therefore, interventions to lower or prevent aortic stiffening may also lower nighttime BP in MA/O adults to lower CVD risk.

Chronic Use of Antihypertensive Medications and Peak Exercise Blood Pressure in Adult Men and Women from the BALL ST Cohort.

PURPOSE: To determine if individuals chronically (>1 yr) prescribed antihypertensive medications have a normal BP response to peak exercise compared with unmedicated individuals. METHODS: Participants included 2555 adults from the Ball State Adult Fitness Longitudinal Lifestyle STudy cohort who performed a peak treadmill exercise test. Participants were divided into groups by sex and antihypertensive medication status. Individuals prescribed antihypertensive medications for >1 yr were included. Exaggerated and blunted SBP within each group was categorized using the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise: A National Database (FRIEND) and absolute criteria as noted by the American Heart Association. RESULTS: The unmedicated group had a greater prevalence ( P < 0.05) of blunted SBP responses, whereas the medicated group had a higher prevalence ( P < 0.05) of exaggerated SBP responses using both the FRIEND and absolute criteria. Peak SBP was higher ( P < 0.01) in medicated compared with unmedicated participants in the overall cohort when controlling for age and sex, but not after controlling for resting SBP ( P = 0.613), risk factors ( P = 0.104), or cardiorespiratory fitness ( P = 0.191). When men and women were assessed independently, peak SBP remained higher in the medicated women after controlling for age and resting SBP ( P = 0.039), but not for men ( P = 0.311). Individuals on beta-blockers had a higher peak SBP even after controlling for age, sex, risk factors, and cardiorespiratory fitness ( P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals on antihypertensive medications have a higher peak SBP response to exercise. Given the prognostic value of exaggerated peak SBP, control of exercise BP should be considered in routine BP assessment and in the treatment of hypertension.

Acute effects of MitoQ on vascular endothelial function are influenced by cardiorespiratory fitness and baseline FMD in middle-aged and older adults.

A key mechanism promoting vascular endothelial dysfunction is mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Aerobic exercise preserves endothelial function in preclinical models by lowering mtROS. However, the effects of mtROS on endothelial function in exercising and non-exercising adults is limited. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study design 23 (10 M/13 F, age 62.1 ± 11.5 years) middle-aged and older (MA/O, ≥45 years) adults were divided into two groups: exercisers (EX, n = 11) and non-exercisers (NEX, n = 12). All participants had endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation, FMDBA) measured before and ∼1 h after mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) (single dose, 80 mg) and placebo supplementation. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the effects of MitoQ and placebo on FMDBA. Pearson correlations assessed the association between the change in FMDBA with MitoQ and baseline FMDBA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Compared with placebo, MitoQ increased FMDBA in NEX by + 2.1% (MitoQ pre: 4.9 ± 0.4 vs. post: 7.0 ± 0.4 %, P = 0.004, interaction) but not in EX (P = 0.695, interaction). MitoQ also increased endothelial function in adults with a FMDBA <6% (P < 0.0001, interaction) but not >6% (P = 0.855, interaction). Baseline FMDBA and CRF were correlated (r = 0.44, P = 0.037), whereas the change in FMDBA with MitoQ was inversely correlated with CRF (r = -0.66, P < 0.001) and baseline FMDBA (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001). The relationship between the change in FMDBA and baseline FMDBA remained correlated after adjusting for CRF (r = -0.55, P = 0.007). These data demonstrate that MitoQ acutely improves FMDBA in NEX and EX adults who have a baseline FMDBA <6%. KEY POINTS: A key age-related change contributing to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is vascular endothelial dysfunction due to increased mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS). Aerobic exercise preserves endothelial function via suppression of mtROS in preclinical models but the evidence in humans is limited. In the present study, a single dose of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ), increases endothelial function in non-exercisers with lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) but not in exercisers with higher CRF. The acute effects of MitoQ on endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults (MA/O) are influenced by baseline endothelial function independent of CRF. These data provide initial evidence that the acute MitoQ-enhancing effects on endothelial function in MA/O adults are influenced, in part, via CRF and baseline endothelial function.

Cardiorespiratory and Muscular Fitness in Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Examine the current state of literature related to the impact of obesity in children and adolescents on health-related physical fitness and the resultant cardiometabolic disease risk. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiorespiratory fitness of children and adolescents has declined over the past few decades which corresponds with an increase in obesity rates. Children with obesity are more likely to have low cardiorespiratory fitness which is associated with higher cardiometabolic disease risk and poorer mental health. The impact of obesity on muscular fitness in children and adolescents is more difficult to ascertain, but in general measures of physical function are lower in children with obesity which has also been associated with higher cardiometabolic disease risk. Components of health-related physical fitness are trending negatively in children and adolescents and appear to be related to the increase in prevalence of obesity. The resultant cardiometabolic disease risk has also risen which suggests a greater disease burden in the future. These disparaging findings highlight the need for aggressive interventions to improve physical fitness in children and adolescents.

Assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical and community settings: Lessons and advancements in the 100th year anniversary of VO2max.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a well-established biomarker that has applications to all adults across the health and disease spectrum. Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the prognostic utility of CRF, it remains vastly underutilized. CRF is optimally measured via cardiopulmonary exercise testing which may not be feasible to implement on a large scale. Therefore, it is prudent to develop ways to accurately estimate CRF that can be applied in clinical and community settings. As such, several prediction equations incorporating non-exercise information that is readily available from routine clinical encounters have been developed that provide an adequate reflection of CRF that could be implemented to raise awareness of the importance of CRF. Further, technological advances in smartphone apps and consumer-grade wearables have demonstrated promise to provide reasonable estimates of CRF that are widely available, which could enhance the utilization of CRF in both clinical and community settings.

Improving Reporting of Exercise Capacity Across Age Ranges Using Novel Workload Reference Equations.

Exercise capacity (EC) is an important predictor of survival in the general population and in subjects with cardiopulmonary disease. Despite its relevance, considering the percent-predicted workload (%pWL) given by current equations may overestimate EC in older adults. Therefore, to improve the reporting of EC in clinical practice, our main objective was to develop workload reference equations (pWL) that better reflect the relation between workload and age. Using the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND), we analyzed a reference group of 6,966 apparently healthy participants and 1,060 participants with heart failure who underwent graded treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing. For the first group, the mean age was 44 years (18 to 79); 56.5% of participants were males and 15.4% had obesity. Peak oxygen consumption was 11.6 ± 3.0 METs in males and 8.5 ± 2.4 METs in females. After partition analysis, we first developed sex-specific pWL equations to allow comparisons to a healthy weight reference. For males, pWL (METs) = 14.1-0.9×10-3×age2 and 11.5-0.87×10-3×age2 for females. We used those equations as denominators of %pWL, and based on their distribution, we determined thresholds for EC classification, with average EC defined by the range corresponding to 85% to 115%pWL. Compared with %pWL using current equations, the new equations yielded better-calibrated %pWL across different age ranges. We also derived body mass index-adjusted pWL equations that better assessed EC in subjects with heart failure. In conclusion, the novel pWL equations have the potential to impact the report of EC in practice.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with estimates of myocardial perfusion: influence of age and sex.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) decline with age and predict future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in a sex-dependent manner. However, the relation between CRF and SEVR in apparently healthy males and females across the age span is largely unknown. We hypothesized higher CRF is associated with greater SEVR in older females but not in males. Two-hundred sixty-two (126 M/136 F, age range 20-84 yr) participants underwent measures of CRF (maximal O2 consumption, V̇o2max) and SEVR (pulse wave analysis, PWA). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in baseline characteristics between younger (<45 yr) and middle-aged and older (MA/O, ≥45 yr) males and females. Bivariate correlations assessed the relation between CRF, SEVR, and age in males and females. Partial correlations adjusted for CVD risk factors and medications. MA/O females had the lowest CRF and SEVR compared with all other groups (P < 0.05, both). SEVR was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.29) and positively correlated with CRF (r = 0.53) in females (P < 0.05, both) that persisted after controlling for CVD risk factors and medications (P < 0.05, all). SEVR was correlated with CRF in males only after adjusting for CVD risk factors and medications (r = 0.26, P < 0.05). These findings collectively demonstrate higher CRF is associated with greater SEVR in males and females after adjusting for CVD risk factors and medications, therefore highlighting subtle sex-specific nuances that warrant further investigation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) are independent predictors of mortality and decline with age. However, the sex-specific relationship between CRF and SEVR with aging in adult males and females is unknown. Our findings demonstrate higher CRF is associated with greater age-related SEVR in males and females, after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and medications. However, subtle sex-related nuances exist in the relationship between SEVR and CRF that require further investigation.

Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant ingestion acutely blunts VO2max in physically inactive females.

PURPOSE: To determine the acute effects of a mitochondrial targeting antioxidant (MitoQ) on the metabolic response during exercise. METHODS: Nine (n = 9) physically inactive females (age 47 ± 22 years) performed two trials (Placebo and MitoQ) in a double-blind randomized cross-over design. In both trials, participants performed an exercise protocol consisting of 3-min stages at submaximal workloads followed by a ramp protocol to volitional exhaustion. Participants received either Placebo or MitoQ (80 mg) 1 h prior to exercise. Indirect calorimetry and cardiovascular measurements were collected throughout the duration of the exercise bout. RESULTS: Submaximal metabolic and cardiovascular variables were not different between trials (p > 0.05). VO2max was higher (p = 0.03) during Placebo (23.5 ± 5.7 mL kg min-1 ) compared to MitoQ (21.0 ± 6.6 mL kg min-1 ). Maximal ventilation was also higher (p = 0.02) in Placebo (82.4 ± 17.7 L/min) compared to MitoQ (75.0 ± 16.8 L/min). Maximal cardiovascular variables and blood lactate were not different between trials (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: An acute dose of MitoQ blunted VO2max , which was primarily mediated by impairment of ventilatory function. These data suggest that the acute accumulation of exercise-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) are necessary for maximal aerobic capacity. Further research is warranted on mtROS-antioxidant cell signaling cascades, and how they relate to mitochondrial function during exercise.

Cycle exercise training and muscle mass: A preliminary investigation of 17 lower limb muscles in older men.

Cycling exercise in older individuals is beneficial for the cardiovascular system and quadriceps muscles, including partially reversing the age-related loss of quadriceps muscle mass. However, the effect of cycling exercise on the numerous other lower limb muscles is unknown. Six older men (74 ± 8 years) underwent MRI before and after 12-weeks of progressive aerobic cycle exercise training (3-4 days/week, 60-180 min/week, 60%-80% heart rate reserve, VO2 max: +13%) for upper (rectus femoris, vastii, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis, sartorius, biceps femoris long head, biceps femoris short head, semimembranosus, semitendinosus) and lower (anterior tibial, posterior tibialis, peroneals, flexor digitorum longus, lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, soleus) leg muscle volumes. In the upper leg, cycle exercise training induced hypertrophy (p ≤ 0.05) in the vastii (+7%) and sartorius (+6%), with a trend to increase biceps femoris short head (+5%, p = 0.1). Additionally, there was a trend to decrease muscle volume in the adductor longus (-6%, p = 0.1) and biceps femoris long head (-5%, p = 0.09). In the lower leg, all 7 muscle volumes assessed were unaltered pre- to post-training (-2% to -3%, p > 0.05). This new evidence related to cycle exercise training in older individuals clarifies the specific upper leg muscles that are highly impacted, while revealing all the lower leg muscles do not appear responsive, in the context of muscle mass and sarcopenia. This study provides information for exercise program development in older individuals, suggesting other specific exercises are needed for the rectus femoris and adductors, certain hamstrings, and the anterior and posterior lower leg muscles to augment the beneficial effects of cycling exercise for older adults.

Postabsorptive muscle protein synthesis is higher in outpatients as compared to inpatients.

Several factors affect muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in the postabsorptive state. Extreme physical inactivity (e.g., bedrest) may reduce basal MPS, whereas walking may augment basal MPS. We hypothesized that outpatients would have a higher postabsorptive MPS than inpatients. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a retrospective analysis. We compared 152 outpatient participants who arrived at the research site the morning of the MPS assessment with 350 Inpatient participants who had an overnight stay in the hospital unit before the MPS assessment the following morning. We used stable isotopic methods and collected vastus lateralis biopsies ∼2 to 3 h apart to assess mixed MPS. MPS was ∼12% higher (P < 0.05) for outpatients than inpatients. Within a subset of participants, we discovered that after instruction to limit activity, outpatients (n = 13) took 800 to 900 steps in the morning to arrive at the unit, seven times more steps than inpatients (n = 12). We concluded that an overnight stay in the hospital as an inpatient is characterized by reduced morning activity and causes a slight but significant reduction in MPS compared with participants studied as outpatients. Researchers should be aware of physical activity status when designing and interpreting MPS results.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The postabsorptive muscle protein synthesis rate is lower in the morning after an overnight inpatient hospital stay compared with an outpatient visit. Although only a minimal amount of steps was conducted by outpatients (∼900), this was enough to increase postabsorptive muscle protein synthesis rate.

High Cardiorespiratory Optimal Point Values Are Related to Cardiovascular Mortality in Men Aged 46 to 70 Years: a Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background: Several hemodynamic and respiratory variables measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) have been shown to predict survival. One such measure is the cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) that reflects the best possible circulation-respiration interaction, but there are still limited data on its relationship with adverse outcomes. Objective: To assess the association between COP and cardiovascular mortality in men aged 46 to 70 years. Methods: A sample of 2201 men who had anthropometric, clinical, and COP data obtained during cycling CPX between 1995 and 2022 was extracted from the CLINIMEX Exercise cohort. COP was identified as the minimal minute-to-minute VE/VO2 during CPX. Vital data were censored on October 31, 2022 for ICD-10-identified cardiovascular deaths. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: The mean ± standard deviation age was 57 ± 6 years and the median COP value was 24 (interquartile range = 21.2 to 27.4). During a mean follow-up of 4688 ± 2416 days, 129 (5.6%) patients died from cardiovascular causes. The death rates for low (< 28), high (28 to 30), and very high (> 30) categories of COP were 3.2%, 9.6%, and 18.7%, respectively. Following adjustment for age, history of myocardial infarction, diagnosis of coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, the HR (95% CI) for cardiovascular mortality comparing very high versus low COP was 2.76 (1.87 to 4.07; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data indicate that, for a general population-based sample of men, COP > 30 represents a considerably higher risk for cardiovascular death. Information on COP could assist cardiovascular risk assessment in men.

Greater aortic perivascular adipose tissue density is associated with aging, aortic stiffness, and central blood pressure in humans.

Aging results in aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT)-mediated aortic stiffening in preclinical animal models to promote cardiovascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that greater human aPVAT density will be associated with aging, higher aortic stiffness, and blood pressure (BP). Fourteen apparently healthy adults (6 M/8 F, age range 20-79 yr) were recruited for this study. Aortic stiffness, assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), resting aortic BP via pulse wave analysis, and aPVAT and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) density by computed tomography attenuation were acquired. aPVAT and epididymal (visceral) fat from young (4-6 mo) and old (27-29 mo) mice were used for ex vivo-conditioned media intrinsic mechanical stiffness experiments. Compared with younger adults, older adults had higher cfPWV (8.6 ± 0.4 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 m/s, P < 0.05) and greater aPVAT attenuation (-80.2 ± 2.0 vs. -95.9 ± 1.5 HU, P < 0.05), but not VAT attenuation (P > 0.05). aPVAT-conditioned media from old mice compared with young mice increased intrinsic mechanical stiffness of the aorta (4,519 ± 510 vs. 2,325 ± 563 kPa, P < 0.05), which was not observed with epididymal fat-conditioned media from old mice (P > 0.05). aPVAT, but not VAT density, was positively associated with age (r = 0.89), cfPWV (r = 0.56), resting augmentation index normalized to heart rate 75 (AIxHR75; r = 0.67), aortic systolic BP (r = 0.58), and aortic pulse pressure (PP; r = 0.59; P < 0.05, all) and were independent of VAT density (P < 0.05, all). These data herein provide evidence for aPVAT as a novel fat depot and therapeutic target to lower aortic stiffness and future cardiovascular disease risk with aging in humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT) promotes age-related aortic stiffening in preclinical animal models, but the relation between aPVAT density and cardiovascular function in adults is unknown. We demonstrate that aPVAT, but not abdominal visceral adipose tissue density, is positively associated with aging, aortic stiffness, and higher resting aortic blood pressure in apparently healthy adults. These findings provide novel evidence for aPVAT as a viable therapeutic target for improving cardiovascular function in humans.

Coconut sugar derived from coconut inflorescence sap lowers systolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot study.

Nutraceutical-based interventions hold promise to reduce blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness, which are two cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, the effects of coconut sap powder (CSP), an Asian sweetener and novel nutraceutical, on BP and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults (MA/O, ≥45 yr) has yet to be established. We hypothesized CSP will decrease BP and arterial stiffness in MA/O adults. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study design, 19 (age 55.3 ± 2.1 yr) MA/O adults completed measures of brachial and carotid BP, and arterial stiffness [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), common carotid artery (CCA) ß-stiffness, compliance, distensibility, and Young's and Peterson's Elastic moduli] before and after 8 wk of CSP (1.5 g/day) or placebo (1.5 g/day). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare group mean differences. Compared with placebo, CSP lowered brachial systolic BP (SBP) (CSP pre: 117.4 ± 2.9 vs. post: 109.0 ± 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.05), but not carotid SBP (P = 0.12). CSP also lowered Young's (CSP pre: 5,514.4 ± 1,115.4 vs. post: 3,690.6 ± 430.9 kPa) and Peterson's elastic moduli (CSP pre: 22.2 ± 4.4 vs. post: 19.2 ± 4.5 kPa) (P < 0.05, both). A trend for CSP to lower CCA ß-stiffness (P = 0.06) and increase CCA compliance (P = 0.07) was also observed. Arterial stiffness assessed by cfPWV did not change (P > 0.05). No inflammatory or antioxidant biomarkers were affected by CSP. In summary, 8 wk of CSP lowers brachial SBP and CCA mechanical stiffness indicating a potential cardioprotective effect in MA/O adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness are important predictors of cardiovascular health with aging. Nutraceuticals are an easy-to-implement lifestyle strategy demonstrating promise to effectively lower BP and arterial stiffness with aging and ultimately cardiovascular disease risk. We demonstrate that coconut sap powder (CSP), a traditional Asian sweetener, lowers brachial systolic BP and carotid artery mechanical stiffness in middle-aged and older (MA/O) adults. These findings provide initial evidence for the CSP-related cardioprotective effects in MA/O adults.

Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope as a Predictor of Mortality Risk: THE BALL STATE ADULT FITNESS LONGITUDINAL LIFESTYLE STUDY (BALL ST).

PURPOSE: Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), defined as the slope of the linear relationship between oxygen uptake and the semilog transformed ventilation rate measured during an incremental exercise test, may have prognostic utility. The objective of this investigation was to examine the relationship between assessments of OUES and all-cause mortality in a cohort of apparently healthy adults. METHODS: The sample included 2220 apparently healthy adults (48% females) with a mean age of 44.7 ± 12.9 yr who performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The OUES was calculated from the entire test, using data from the initial 50% (OUES 50 ) and 75% (OUES 75 ) of test time, and normalized to body surface area. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the relationship between measures of OUES and mortality. Prognostic peak oxygen uptake (V˙ o2peak ) and OUES models were compared using the concordance index. RESULTS: There were 310 deaths (29% females) over a follow-up period of 19.8 ± 11.1 yr. For males, OUES, OUES 75 , and normalized OUES had an inverse association with mortality, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors ( P < .05). For females, only the unadjusted OUES, OUES 75 , and normalized OUES models were associated with mortality ( P < .05). The concordance index values indicated that unadjusted OUES 50 and OUES 75 models had lower discrimination than the unadjusted OUES and V˙ o2peak models ( P < .05). Furthermore, OUES did not complement the fully adjusted V˙ o2peak model ( P ≥ .32). CONCLUSIONS: Assessments of OUES are related to all-cause mortality in males but not in females. These findings suggest that OUES can have prognostic utility in apparently healthy males. Moreover, submaximal determinations of OUES could have value when measuring V˙ o2peak is not feasible.

Reference Standards for Peak Rating of Perceived Exertion during Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Data from FRIEND.

INTRODUCTION: Peak rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is measured during clinical cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and is commonly used as a subjective indicator of maximal effort. However, no study to date has reported reference standards or the distribution of peak RPE across a large cohort of apparently healthy individuals. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine reference standards for peak RPE when using the 6-20 Borg scale for both treadmill and cycle tests. METHODS: The analysis included 9551 tests (8821 treadmill, 730 cycle ergometer) from 13 laboratories within the Fitness Registry and Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND). Using data from tests conducted January 1, 1980, to January 1, 2021, percentiles of peak RPE for men and women were determined for each decade from 20 to 89 yr of age for treadmill and cycle exercise modes. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare differences in peak RPE values between sexes and across age groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in RPE between age groups whether the test was performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer ( P < 0.05). However, the mean and median RPE for each sex, age group, and test mode were between 18 and 19. In addition, 83% of participants met the traditional RPE criteria of ≥18 for indicating sufficient maximal effort. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides the first normative reference standards for peak RPE in both male and female individuals performing CPX on a treadmill or cycle ergometer. Furthermore, these reference standards highlight the general consistency of peak RPE responses during CPX.