The benefits of exercise for vascular health are significant and can be enjoyed at any age. Regular exercise leads to improvements in vascular function, helping to maintain physical fitness well into old age. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to declines in vascular function, impacting the health and function of muscles, the heart, and the brain. Exercise also offers protection against conditions related to the vasculature, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Overall, maintaining physical fitness throughout life is crucial for optimal vascular health and overall well-being.
Exercise-induced hemodynamic changes trigger adaptive stimuli within vascular cells, resulting in improved vasodilation and vasoconstriction responsiveness, reduced arterial stiffness, and other favorable adaptations. Regular exercise throughout life is essential to achieve a beneficial balance of angiogenesis, vasodilator responsiveness, and other adaptive responses. Individualized exercise plans should be pursued to maximize long-term training adherence. Prolonged moderate-intensity workouts may be more beneficial than shorter, high-intensity sessions for vascular remodeling and injury prevention. In addition, high-intensity interval training and a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise are recommended for comprehensive vascular health.
