Cardiorespiratory fitness associates negatively with arterial stiffness in a cohort of industrial workers followed up for 4 years

Objective: Previously we have found increased carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) among shift workers compared to day workers in industry, and a decline in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) in all 86 workers. Methods: Utilizing all available measurements in 2018, 2021 and 2022, this study investigated associations between V̇O2max and measures of arterial stiffness. Using a mixed model approach, we analysed the cross-sectional association between all V̇O2max (outcome) and measures of arterial stiffness (covariates). Results: We observed a significant association between V̇O2max and cfPWV of -1.59 (95%CI -3.03, -0.16), augmentation pressure (AP) and augmentation index (Aix) of -0.32 (95%CI -0.58, -0.06) and -0.12 (95%CI –0.23, -0.005), respectively. Conclusions: We found a significant negative association between cardiorespiratory fitness and measures of arterial stiffness. The former and present results pose challenges for shift workers’ future macro and microvascular health.