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Date of Graduation
Spring 2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Kinesiology
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of long term versus recent training on intima-media thickness (IMT) and if this effect is localized in the vascular beds of the tissues directly involved in the activity. Thirty-four male subjects (aged 49.69 ± 6.48 years) were recruited and divided into the following groups: sedentary (SE), recent aerobic exercisers (RE) or long-term aerobic exercisers (LE). Carotid, brachial, and popliteal artery IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Diet, physical activity, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured as well. Carotid IMT was not significant (p=0.974) between the groups, with SE values of 0.5945 ± 0.2156 mm, RE at 0.6017 ± 0.1560 mm, and LE at 0.5868 ± 0.1127 mm. Brachial IMT trended towards significance (p=0.069) between the groups (SE = 0.3450 ± 0.0528 mm; RE = 0.4163 ± 0.0896 mm; LE = 0.4232 ± 0.0958 mm). Popliteal IMT was not significant (p=0.127) between the groups, with the SE values of 0.5669 ± 0.0786 mm, RE at 0.4625 ± 0.0812 mm, and LE at 0.5388 ± 0.1302 mm. Significant differences were observed in MET-min/wk (p=0.011; SE = 2225.67 ± 2510.02; RE = 3370.2 ±1136.29;LE = 6039.97 ± 3775.74) and CRP (p=0.018; SE = 3.801 ± 4.438 mg/L; RE = 0.885 ± 0.507 mg/L; LE = 0.877 ± 0.609 mg/L) data. When adjusted for MET-min/wk and caloric intake, brachial IMT was significantly different between SE and both RE and LE, and popliteal IMT was significantly different between SE and RE (p=0.035 and p=0.038 respectively). Based on the findings of this study and previous research, vascular IMT may be related to physical activity, specifically in vascular beds proximal to active muscles, however the relationship may be at least partially dependent upon specific dietary factors.
Recommended Citation
Robinson, Amanda, "Comparison of carotid, brachial, and popliteal intima media thickness among sedentary and physically active subjects between 40 and 60 years old" (2011). Masters Theses, 2010-2019. 306.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/306
