Increased arterial stiffness during acute hyperglycemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the type of carbohydrate that inhibits it is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of low-glycemic-index isomaltulose on arterial stiffness during hyperglycemia in middle-aged and older adults. Ten healthy middle-aged and older adult subjects orally ingested a solution containing 25 g of isomaltulose (ISI trial) and sucrose (SSI trial) in a crossover study. In the SSI trial, the brachial–ankle (ba) pulse wave velocity (PWV) increased 30, 60, and 90 min after ingestion compared with that before ingestion (p < 0.01); however, in the ISI trial, the baPWV did not change after ingestion compared with that before ingestion. Blood glucose levels 30 min after intake were lower in the ISI trial than in the SSI trial (p < 0.01). The baPWV and systolic blood pressure were positively correlated 90 min after isomaltulose and sucrose ingestion (r = 0.640, p < 0.05). These results indicate that isomaltulose intake inhibits an acute increase in arterial stiffness. The results of the present study may have significant clinical implications on the implementation of dietary programs for middle-aged and elderly patients.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effects of aerobic exercise training frequency on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal females. [Participants and Methods] This study included 45 postmenopausal females randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: 1) low-frequency training group (aerobic exercise training twice per week); 2) high-frequency training group (aerobic exercise training four times per week); and 3) control group (no training). Each group was subjected to an 8-week intervention period. Both traditional and newer indexes were measured immediately before and after the 8-week intervention period. [Results] In the low-frequency training group, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and arterial velocity pulse index decreased post 8 weeks compared with those at baseline. In the high-frequency training group, carotid-femoral, brachial-ankle, and heart-brachial pulse wave velocities and arterial velocity pulse and arterial pressure-volume indexes decreased post 8 weeks compared to those at baseline. In the control group, no change in any indices post 8 weeks compared to those at baseline was observed. [Conclusion] Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was lower after aerobic training than before training in both the exercise groups. Thus, aerobic exercise training might have a beneficial effect on aortic stiffness, regardless of the training frequency in this population.

The frequency of aerobic exercise training in reducing the increase in arterial stiffness during acute hyperglycemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the aerobic exercise training frequency on arterial stiffness in a hyperglycemic state in middle-aged and elderly females. Twenty healthy elderly people were randomly assigned to a two-times-a-week (T2, n = 10) and four-times-a-week (T4, n = 10) exercise group. All participants exercised for 35 min per session, which consisted of jogging exercises with a heart rate intensity of 65%. Brachial-ankle (ba), and heart-brachial (hb) pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured before, 4 and 8 weeks after intervention; before the oral ingestion of 75-g of glucose; and 30, 60, and 90 min after ingestion. The baPWV before and 4 weeks after the intervention increased in both groups (p < 0.05), but only increased 8 weeks after intervention in the T2 group. hbPWV was unchanged before, 4 and 8 weeks after intervention in both groups. These findings show that frequent aerobic exercise suppresses the increase in arterial stiffness following glucose intake. The results of this study can be used to support the implementation of exercise programs for middle-aged and elderly patients.

A “Workcation” (combining work and vacation) has become increasingly common. Traditionally, the workcation focus has been on productivity; however, data showing associations between workcations and improvements in employees’ health are lacking. Therefore, this study examines the effects of a workcation on blood pressure, arterial stiffness, heart rate, autonomic nervous system function, and physical activity. Twenty healthy employees participating in a five-day workcation project at a large private company agreed to participate in this study. Data on arterial stiffness, heart rate, autonomic nerve activity, and physical activity were collected before, during, and after the workcation. Arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and heart rate significantly decreased (p < 0.05); meanwhile, physical activity levels and parasympathetic function during sleep significantly increased during the workcation (p < 0.05). Thus, a workcation implies a new way of working that improves employees’ cardiovascular indices and parasympathetic function during sleep.

Hardening of arterial walls associated with elevated postprandial blood glucose levels increases the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the impact of intermittent aerobic training on reducing arterial stiffness is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the chronic effects of intermittent aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness during hyperglycemia in middle-aged adults: 30 healthy middle-aged adults were randomly assigned to an 8-week intermittent aerobic training group (n = 15, jogging or running, 30 min/run, 3 times/week, 65% reserve heart rate) and a control group (n = 15, no training). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) of carotid-femoral (cf) and brachial-ankle (ba), heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose was measured before a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 30, 60, and 90 min after the test, before the exercise intervention, and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention. The baPWV and blood glucose levels before the intervention were elevated at 30, 60, and 90 min in both groups compared to levels before the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01). The baPWV and blood glucose levels after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention were unchanged in the training group compared to that before the 75 g OGTT, but increased at 30, 60, and 90 min in the control group compared to that before the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01). The baPWV and blood glucose levels at 30 and 60 min after the 75 g OGTT after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention were lower in the training group than in the control group (p < 0.01). These results indicate that intermittent aerobic exercise training may reduce the acute increase in arterial stiffness after hyperglycemia.

Background/Objectives: Postprandial hyperglycemia and sleep quality can influence arterial stiffness; however, the interaction between sleep quality and postprandial hyperglycemia-induced changes in arterial stiffness remains poorly elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether sleep quality modifies postprandial changes in blood glucose levels and arterial stiffness following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Methods: In this study on 104 healthy middle-aged and older adults (50–83 years old), arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) before and 60 min after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Poor sleep quality was defined as a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score > 5.5. Results: In the 51 participants with poor sleep quality, baPWV increased significantly from baseline to 60 min after the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01), whereas no such change was observed in the 53 subjects with good sleep quality. baPWV was significantly higher in the poor-sleep-quality group than in the good-sleep-quality group 60 min after the 75 g OGTT (p < 0.01). Moreover, baPWV and blood glucose levels 60 min after the 75 g OGTT had a positive correlation (p < 0.01, r = 0.64). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a poor sleep quality may enhance postprandial hyperglycemia-induced arterial stiffness, whereas a good sleep quality may help protect vascular function.