Intima-media thickness; Pulse wave speed; 6-minute walk test; Accelerometry.

INTRODUCTION: The elderly population has progressively increased worldwide. Aging induces several structural and functional to the vasculature, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. PA and cardiorespiratory fitness have been associated with better vascular health indexes. However, it is still unclear in the literature whether the impact of fitness and physical activity is on both arterial structure and function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on vascular structure and function in the elderly. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 82 elderly participants (66.8 ± 5.2 years; 81% female). Assessed by MVPA by accelerometry and cardiorespiratory fitness by 6MWT. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the effect of MVPA, and 6MWT (exposure), on carotid IMT, and PWV (outcomes). In addition to the unadjusted models, the models were adjusted for gender and cardiovascular risk confounders using the Framingham continuous score. To test the isolated effect of fitness and physical activity, a third model was applied, inserting MVPA and 6MWT with adjustment between them. Assumed significance when P<0.05. RESULTS: The 6MWT was negatively associated with PWV of β = -0.001 (CI = -0.0001 – -0.001 m/s). No associations were observed between 6MWT and carotid IMT (β = -0.36; CI = -0.78 – 0.05). MVPA did not show a significant association for structure through IMT (β - 0.53; CI = - 1.72 – 0.66) and arterial function through PWV (β -0.001; CI = - 0.01 – 0.01). Elderly people who walked over 438m had ~1m/s lower PWV for every 100m more. CONCLUSION: Elderly people with greater cardiorespiratory fitness have better vascular function regardless of physical activity, but without impact on vascular structure. Traveling a greater distance of 438m on the 6MWT reduced the PWV. Physical activity had no effect on vascular function and structure in the elderly.