Impact of Physical (In)Activity on Carotid-Femoral PWV and Central Blood Pressure in Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A Pilot Study using ARTSENS Plus

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central blood pressure (BP) are prognostic stiffness markers for assessing vascular health. In this study, a group of young (
$20\leq$
age
$<$
40) to middle-aged (
$40\leq$
age
$<$
60) participants with minimal cardiovascular risk were examined to determine the impact of physical (in)activity on central BP and cfPWV. This in-vivo study was conducted on 97 healthy participants (Mean age: 34). All participants completed a detailed lifestyle and medical history questionnaire, which included information on their lifestyle and physical activity. An in-house developed A-mode ultrasound device, ARTSENS Plus was used to measure, central BP (from the carotid artery) and cfPWV. There was no significant difference in central BP and cfPWV between physically active and inactive young adults
$(\mathrm{p} >$
0.05). Although cfPWV in middle-aged adults increased by 26% in females and 10
^%
in males between active and inactive populations, the observation was not statistically significant
$(\mathrm{p}$
= 0.14 in males and
$\mathrm{p}=0.11$
in females). The difference in carotid pulse pressure between physically active and inactive middle-aged adults was statistically significant
$(\mathrm{p}\leq 0.05)$
. Results from this study will eventually cast new light on the importance of physical (in)activity among young and middle-aged populations.