Acute Effect of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Fine Particulate Matter Environment: A Pilot Study

Abstracts PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the effect of one bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness under ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. METHODS In a randomized crossover design, seven healthy young men performed 30 minutes of treadmill running at 70% of heart rate peak under high PM2.5 and low PM2.5 exposure. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, a measure of pulse wave reflection before and after each exercise intervention. RESULTS Regardless of the PM2.5 exposure, brachial systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased in response to one bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (p