Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise on glycaemic control, arterial stiffness and oxidative stress in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.Method: Twelve obese subjects (7 males and 5 females; 48.0 ± 9.4 yrs; 168.0 ± 7.0 cm; 90.7 ± 16.8 kg; BMI 32.4 ± 7.0 kg/m2) with IGT participated in a 30 minute bout of walking at 65% of maximum predicted heart rate (HR). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure (BP) were examined pre and post exercise, while venous blood samples were drawn for determination of glucose, blood lipids and indices of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides – LOOH and superoxide dismutase - SOD). Results: Post exercise PWV (9.1 ± 1.2 m/sec vs. 8.6 ± 1.0 m/sec), glucose (5.7 ± 0.6 mmol∙L-1 vs. 5.4 ± 0.6 mmol∙L-1) and diastolic BP (94 ± 14 mmHg vs. 86 ± 13 mmHg) decreased, respectively (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between PWV and glucose (r = 0.544, P < 0.05). There were no changes in LOOHs, SOD, hs-CRP or blood lipids, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that acute aerobic exercise can reduce arterial stiffness in subjects with IGT by improving glucose metabolism, independent of changes in oxidative stress.