Effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older men with dysglycemia and dyslipidemia: A 12-week intervention study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12-week combined aerobic and resistance exercise program on vascular function in individuals with dysglycemia and dyslipidemia. METHODS: Participants aged 45-69 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) < 35 kg/m² and abnormal blood glucose or lipid levels were included. All participants performed two aerobic training sessions and one resistance training session per week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After a 12-week intervention of aerobic exercise combined with resistance training, significant reductions in weight, BMI, blood glucose, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Type A1C (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with dysglycemia and dyslipidemia. The right cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the bilateral ankle-brachial index (ABI) showed highly significant enhancement (p < 0.001). When grouping based on pre-exercise blood glucose levels, only the impaired fasting glucose group exhibited significant improvement in right CAVI (p = 0.045) and left ABI (p = 0.039). Comparison between the groups revealed that the ABI after exercise was significantly higher in the normoglycaemic individuals than in the other two groups (p = 0.029). Both blood glucose levels and exercise significantly affected left ABI changes (p = 0.017), but no interaction was found (p = 0.081). When grouping was based on pre-exercise lipid levels, analysis showed no significant CAVI changes, but bilateral ABIs improved significantly. Furthermore, a notable association between HbA1c changes and right ABI (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The exercise regimen significantly improved arterial stiffness, while reducing obstruction in those with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. The extent of ABI improvement correlated with reductions in HbA1c (p = 0.049), suggesting that exercise positively influences vascular function, potentially modulated by glucose levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Supplementing measures to lower blood glucose during exercise may benefit vascular function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRB number is NNU202310007.