Changes in Endothelial Function after Acute Resistance Exercise Using Free Weights

Abstract

Abstract:We determined the effects of an acute bout of free-weight resistance exercise (ARE) on cardiovascular hemodynamics and endothelial function in resistance-trained individuals. Nineteen young, healthy, resistance-trained individuals performed two randomized sessions consisting of ARE or a quiet control (CON). The ARE consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions at 75% 1-repetition maximum for the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Cardiovascular hemodynamics was assessed using finger photoplethysmography. Forearm blood flow (FBF), and vasodilatory capacity markers, were assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm vascular conductance was calculated by the division of mean FBF by mean arterial pressure. A two-way ANOVA was used to compare the effects of condition (ARE, CON) across time (rest, recovery). There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) decreases in mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance across conditions and time. There were significant condition-by-time interactions (p ≤ 0.05) for heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output after the ARE compared to the CON and rest. FBF was significantly (p = 0.001) increased during the recovery from ARE, as well as vasodilatory capacity markers such as peak blood flow (p = 0.05) and reactive hyperemia-induced blood flow (p = 0.0001). These data suggest that whole-body free-weight exercises acutely reduced blood pressure while simultaneously augmenting FBF, and vasodilatory capacity markers.

Thermographic assessment of the immediate and short term-effects of blood flow restriction exercise on Achilles tendon skin temperature

“…BFR exercise has been indicated to severely affect venous return distal to the cuff placement site leading to vascular congestion in the muscle which is reflected by visible erythema along with changes in the local dissipation of thermal energy leading to increases in Tskin. (45,46) The prominent changes observed in the insertional region between the two conditions suggests BFR may in fact stimulate a reduced thermal response in the Achilles compared to standard resistance exercise. Although a decrease in Tskin is reported as a normal adaptation during the initial minutes of exercise, followed by a gradual increase, our findings indicate the potential for a sustained decrease in the Achilles following BFR exercise.…”