Effects of trunk stretching using an exercise ball on central arterial stiffness and carotid arterial compliance.

Purpose: Acute or regular stretching exercises reduce arterial stiffness, but whether stretching exercises per se can reduce central arterial stiffness remain controversial. Recent studies have suggested that mechanical stimulation of arteries can directly modulate arterial stiffness, rather than causing systemic effects. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of trunk stretching using an exercise ball on central arterial stiffness and carotid arterial compliance.