A1 Journal article (refereed)
Association between arterial stiffness and walking capacity in older adults (2022)

Hinrichs, T., Portegijs, E., Rantanen, T., Infanger, D., Schmidt-Trucksäss, A., & Karavirta, L. (2022). Association between arterial stiffness and walking capacity in older adults. Experimental Gerontology, 167, Article 111925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.111925

JYU authors or editors

Rantanen, Taina
Karavirta, Laura

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hinrichs, Timo; Portegijs, Erja; Rantanen, Taina; Infanger, Denis; Schmidt-Trucksäss, Arno; Karavirta, Laura

Journal or series: Experimental Gerontology

ISSN: 0531-5565

eISSN: 1873-6815

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 12/08/2022

Volume: 167

Article number: 111925

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.111925

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82762

Abstract

Background and aim
Arterial stiffening – a process that is largely due to intimal thickening, collagen disposition or elastin fragmentation – significantly contributes to cardiovascular events and mortality. There is also some evidence that it may negatively affect physical function. This study aimed to evaluate whether arterial stiffness was associated with measures of walking capacity in a large, population-based sample of highly aged older adults.

Methods
A population-based sample of 910 community-dwelling adults (aged 75, 80, or 85 years) were investigated in a cross-sectional observational study. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, was estimated based on the oscillometric recording of pulse waves at the brachial artery site. Walking capacity was assessed by 10-meter habitual walking speed, 10-meter maximum walking speed, and six-minute walk distance. We used multiple linear regression models to examine possible associations between PWV and parameters of walking capacity, and we adjusted the models for sex, age, socioeconomic status, anthropometry, physician-diagnosed diseases, prescription medication, smoking history, physical activity, and mean arterial pressure. Continuous variables were modelled using restricted cubic splines to account for potential nonlinear associations.

Results
Mean (standard deviation) 10-meter habitual walking speed, 10-meter maximum walking speed, and six-minute walk distance were 1.3 (0.2) m/s, 1.7 (0.4) m/s, and 413 (85) m, respectively. The fully adjusted regression models revealed no evidence for associations between PWV and parameters of walking capacity (all p-values >0.05).

Conclusion
Our results did not confirm previous findings suggesting a potential negative association between arterial stiffness and walking capacity in old age. Longitudinal studies, potentially taking additional confounders into account, are needed to disentangle the complex relationship between the two factors.

Keywords: older people; ageing; physical functioning; ability to move; walking (motion); cardiovascular diseases; population research