Campbell AK, Beaumont AJ, Hayes L, Herbert P, Gardner D, Ritchie L, Sculthorpe N. Habitual exercise influences carotid artery strain and strain rate, but not cognitive function in healthy middle-aged females.
Eur J Appl Physiol 2023;
123:1051-1066. [PMID:
36637510 PMCID:
PMC10119229 DOI:
10.1007/s00421-022-05123-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Aging females are at risk of declining vascular and cognitive function. Exercise can augment both factors independently; however, the influence of exercise on their interdependence is less clearly understood. Ultrasound speckle tracking is a sensitive novel measure of arterial aging but has not previously been used in middle-aged females. We aimed to elucidate the potential interactions between vascular and cognitive variables in active aging females.
METHODS
Twelve active (56 ± 5 years; [Formula: see text]: 34.5 ± 6.1 ml.kg.min-1) and 13 inactive (57 ± 4 years; 22.8 ± 2.6 ml.kg.min-1) healthy middle-aged females were included. Ultrasound speckle tracking assessed short-axis common carotid artery (CCA) compliance via peak circumferential strain (PCS) and strain rate (PSR) at rest, during, and after 3-min isometric handgrip exercise. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was assessed using ultrasound. Cognitive function was measured using Verbal Fluency, Trail Making, Stroop, and Digit Span tests.
RESULTS
PCS (P = 0.003) and PSR (P = 0.004), were higher in the active cohort. FMD was similar between groups (P > 0.05). Minimal differences in cognitive function existed between groups, although the inactive group performed better in one test of animal Verbal Fluency (P < 0.01). No associations were observed between PCS, PSR, or FMD with cognitive function (all P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This is the first study to assess PCS and PSR in middle-aged females and demonstrates that active middle-aged females exhibit a superior carotid artery profile compared to their inactive counterparts. However, PCS and PSR of the carotid artery may not be linked with cognitive function in middle-aged females.
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