Effects of a Single Session of High- and Moderate-Intensity Resistance Exercise on Endothelial Function of Middle-Aged Sedentary Men

Abstract

Regular resistance exercise is associated with metabolic, neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations which improve quality of life and health. However, sedentary subjects have shown acute impairments in endothelial function after high-intensity resistance exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial function in sedentary middle-aged men after a single session of resistance exercise at different intensities. Eleven sedentary middle-aged men (40.1 ± 3.9 years; 27.3 ± 1.4 kg/m 2 ) underwent three different conditions of assessment: (1) single knee extension exercise at moderate intensity (MI) [4 sets of 12 repetitions at 50% of one repetition maximum (1RM) for each leg], (2) single knee extension exercise at high intensity (HI) (4 sets of 8 repetitions at 80% of 1RM for each leg), (3) resting for the control condition (CON). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed before, 30 and 60 min after exercise. Plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitrites and nitrates (NO x ) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured before, immediately after and 60 min after exercise. Blood pressure (BP) was measured prior to the experimental protocols, and in the following times: immediately following, and 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min after exertion. There was a significant improvement in FMD 30 min after MI condition (12.5 ± 4.10 vs. 17.2 ± 3.9%; p = 0.016). NO x levels were significantly higher immediately after MI (6.8 ± 3.3 vs. 12.6 ± 4.2 μM; p = 0.007) and there was a significant increase in the concentration of ET-1 immediately after HI (20.02 ± 2.2 vs. 25.4 ± 2.1 pg/mL; p = 0.004). However, there was no significant difference for BP (MI vs. HI) and TBARS among the experimental conditions. Resistance exercise performed at moderate intensity improved vasodilatation via increases on NOx levels and FMD in sedentary middle-aged men.

A single bout of exercise improves vascular insulin sensitivity in adults with obesity

“…However, these sRAGE data are consistent with reductions after 12 weeks of lifestyle therapy in older adults with impaired glucose tolerance and chronic kidney disease (42). Furthermore, although aerobic exercise training tends to decrease ET-1 (43), one session of high-intensity resistance exercise increases ET-1 concentrations(44). Despite neither sRAGE nor ET-1 concentrations correlating with differences observed in insulin-stimulated preocclusion diameter or MBF following exercise, these factors may have acted as mediators in other processes (e.g., insulin receptor/signaling) that affect vascular permeability and/or functionality of insulin.…”

Differences in Blood Flow Patterns and Endothelial Shear Stress at the Carotid Artery Using Different Exercise Modalities and Intensities

“…Even though the current study was designed to assess blood flow patterns during an acute bout of exercise, these findings can be associated with adaptations such as endothelial function and atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. For example, there are some conflicting results when comparing endothelial function before and after resistance and aerobic exercises ( Iwamoto et al, 2018 ; Boeno et al, 2019 ). Boeno et al (2019) showed no improvement in endothelial function, measured via flow-mediated dilation, with a single session of repeated knee extension exercise at a moderate and high intensity.…”

Vascular Ageing and Aerobic Exercise

“…A single session of moderate intensity resistance exercise in middle-aged sedentary men increased plasma levels of nitrites and nitrates and improved FMD, while a single session of high intensity resistance exercise increased plasma levels of ET-1 and did not improve FMD [107]. However, an 8-week resistance exercise training reduced the plasma ET-1 levels [108].…”