Daily physical activity improves carotid artery elasticity – a study based on ultrasound radio frequency signal technique

  AIM  To study the relationship between daily physical activity and carotid artery elasticity based on ultrasound radio frequency technique.

  METHODS   Four hundred and ten healthy adults that underwent healthy examination in our hospital were included to collect their physical activity data of the past year. The total amount of physical activity (PA) was calculated based on weekly frequency and duration of moderate and vigorous PA. Subjects were then categorized into no PA, low PA, middle PA and high PA groups. Subjects were also grouped as simple moderate PA and mixed moderate-vigorous PA.

  RESULTS   The carotid intima media thickness were not influenced by the amount or pattern of daily PA. Compared with no PA group, the middle and high PA groups showed significantly increased carotid distensibility coefficient and compliance coefficient, and decreased pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) (P<0.05). Compared with low PA group, the high PA group showed significantly lower α stiffness, β stiffness, local diastolic pressure, PWV and AI (P<0.05). The β stiffness, PWV and AI was significantly reduced in mixed moderate-vigorous PA group than simple moderate PA group (P<0.05).

  CONCLUSION   The carotid artery elasticity of healthy people with middle and high amount of daily PA was better than that with no PA; and the carotid artery elasticity in healthy people with mixed moderate-vigorous PA was better than simple moderate PA.