FIGURE 1.
Summary of the negative effects of both acute (sitting) and short-term (e.g., step-reduction, limb immobilization, bed rest) inactivity protocols on peripheral vascular health in humans: sitting for up to 6 h results in a reduction in FMD, shear stress/rate, and cerebrovascular function; short-term reductions in physical activity of up to 15 days (or more) result in declines in arterial diameter. All inactivity protocols (acute and short-term) have been reported to increase blood pressure and arterial stiffness. FMD: Flow-mediated dilation.