Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness in Individuals with Different Smoking Statuses

This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of acute bout of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness in individuals with different smoking statuses. A total of 940 male individuals (mean age of 36.82±7.76 years) in the Kailuan study cohort were selected to participate in the fifth National Physical Fitness Monitoring. All participants completed measurements of brachial – ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) before and after twice-quantitative cycle ergometer exercise. Four groups were defined: (1) non-smokers (n=231), (2) former smokers (n=165), (3) light smokers (1–10 cigarettes/day, n=254), (4) heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes/day, n=290). Generalized linear models were established to analyze between-group differences in the change in baPWV before and after acute aerobic exercise in individuals with different smoking statuses. Overall, after acute aerobic exercise, baPWV was immediately decreased significantly (−33.55 cm/s [95% CI, − 39.69 to −27.42]). Compared with non-smokers, former smokers, light smokers, and heavy smokers showed a greater decrease in baPWV (−12.17 cm/s [95%CI, − 30.08 to 5.75], − 18.43 cm/s [95%CI, −34.69 to − 2.16], and −22.46 cm/s [95%CI, − 38.39 to − 6.54]) respectively. There is a transient decrease in baPWV in individuals with different smoking statuses. Compared with non-smokers, baPWV decreased more significantly in light and heavy smokers.