Acute and chronic arterial stiffness responses to stretching, aerobic, and resistance exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
4 affiliations
- 1Sport and Exercise Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo
- 2Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishi Kyushu University
- 3Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz
- 4Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad
Abstract
This study examined the acute and chronic effects of stretching (ST), aerobic exercise (AE), and resistance training (RT) on arterial stiffness through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and randomized crossover studies. Following registration on PROSPERO, searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed (NLM), and Web of Science to identify studies comparing ST, AE, and RT with an inactive comparator, examining pulse wave velocity (PWV), β-stiffness index, and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). Forty-one studies were included (1270 participants; ST = 7, AE = 19, RT = 17). Effects were calculated as Hedges’ g with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects models, separately for acute and longitudinal interventions. ST induced moderate chronic improvements (ES = − 0.63) but showed no significant acute effect (ES = − 0.15). AE produced significant chronic reductions (ES = − 1.11) and moderate acute reductions (ES = − 0.62), while RT showed no significant effects neither for the longitudinal (ES = − 0.41) or acute (ES = 0.00) interventions, with small benefits observed only following low-intensity protocols. According to the RoB assessment, most studies had “some concerns”, and overall certainty of evidence was rated as “very low” according to GRADE. Overall, AE was consistently associated with reductions in arterial stiffness across most modality-specific analyses. ST demonstrated favorable chronic effects. The effects of RT appeared to vary according to exercise intensity, population characteristics, and analytical model. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420250653424.
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BibTeX
@article{thomas2026acute,
title = {{Acute and chronic arterial stiffness responses to stretching, aerobic, and resistance exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials}},
author = {Ewan Thomas and Gianmarco Pinto and Salvatore Frenda and Masatoshi Nakamura and Andreas Konrad and Marianna Bellafiore and Patrik Drid and Antonino Bianco},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-63164-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63164-0},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Acute and chronic arterial stiffness responses to stretching, aerobic, and resistance exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
AU - Ewan Thomas
AU - Gianmarco Pinto
AU - Salvatore Frenda
AU - Masatoshi Nakamura
AU - Andreas Konrad
AU - Marianna Bellafiore
AU - Patrik Drid
AU - Antonino Bianco
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-63164-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-63164-0
AB - This study examined the acute and chronic effects of stretching (ST), aerobic exercise (AE), and resistance training (RT) on arterial stiffness through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and randomized crossover studies. Following registration on PROSPERO, searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed (NLM), and Web of Science to identify studies comparing ST, AE, and RT with an inactive comparator, examining pulse wave velocity (PWV), β-stiffness index, and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). Forty-one studies were included (1270 participants; ST = 7, AE = 19, RT = 17). Effects were calculated as Hedges’ g with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects models, separately for acute and longitudinal interventions. ST induced moderate chronic improvements (ES = − 0.63) but showed no significant acute effect (ES = − 0.15). AE produced significant chronic reductions (ES = − 1.11) and moderate acute reductions (ES = − 0.62), while RT showed no significant effects neither for the longitudinal (ES = − 0.41) or acute (ES = 0.00) interventions, with small benefits observed only following low-intensity protocols. According to the RoB assessment, most studies had “some concerns”, and overall certainty of evidence was rated as “very low” according to GRADE. Overall, AE was consistently associated with reductions in arterial stiffness across most modality-specific analyses. ST demonstrated favorable chronic effects. The effects of RT appeared to vary according to exercise intensity, population characteristics, and analytical model. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420250653424.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -