Understanding How Aging and Sex Affect Blood Vessel Health Through Aerobic Exercise Training in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how aerobic exercise AE affects blood vessel health in middle-aged and older adults, focusing on differences between men and women. This trial aims to understand why the benefits of AE vary, investigating biological and molecular changes related to aging that influence vascular health both in the body and brain. The goal is to uncover molecular signals that explain these variations and help develop personalized exercise recommendations or treatments for those who cannot exercise. Participants are randomly assigned to either a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program or a no-exercise control group. The exercise group will perform treadmill walkingrunning and cycling three times a week, with sessions lasting about 60 minutes. The control group will maintain their usual activity and diet during the same period. Both groups will have regular check-ins to monitor changes in weight, physical activity, diet, and medications. During the study, researchers will collect blood and vascular cell samples before and after exercise sessions and after the 12-week intervention. They will measure blood vessel function, brain blood flow response, and analyze molecular profiles in blood samples. Participants will also wear devices to track fitness, blood pressure, body composition, physical activity, and sleep. The study measures include flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery and cerebrovascular reactivity, assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks to understand exercise effects on vascular health.

Heterogeneity of Vascular Adaptations to Exercise With Aging in Women and Men