Effects of resistance training on central blood pressure in obese young men

Abstract

Central blood pressure is a predictor of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the effects of resistance training (RT) on central blood pressure are largely unknown. This study explored the effects of high-intensity RT on central blood pressure, indices of arterial stiffness and wave reflection and inflammatory/atherogenic markers in overweight or obese, sedentary young men. Thirty-six participants were randomized to RT (12 weeks of training, 3/wk, n = 28) or control groups (C, 12 weeks of no training, n = 8) and assessed for changes in central and brachial blood pressures, augmentation index (AIx), carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), body composition, lipids and inflammatory/atherogenic markers. High-intensity RT resulted in decreased central and brachial systolic/diastolic blood pressures (all P≤0.03), despite not altering AIx (P = 0.34) or cfPWV (P = 0.43). The vascular endothelial growth factor increased (P = 0.03) after RT, without any change in cIMT, C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL (oxLDL) or other inflammatory markers (all P≥0.1). Changes in the central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) were positively correlated with changes in oxLDL (r = 0.42, P = 0.03) and soluble E-selectin (r = 0.41, P = 0.04). In overweight/obese young men, high-intensity RT decreases cSBP, independently of weight loss and changes in arterial stiffness. The cardioprotective effects of RT may be related to effects on central blood pressure.

The role of vascular biomarkers for primary and secondary prevention. A position paper from the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on peripheral circulation

“…Weight reduction improves endothelial function [280] and lowers CRP [281], oxLDL [282], cIMT [283], wave reflections and arterial stiffness [284], especially when combined with exercise [285e287], but does not influence ABI values [288]. Endurance exercise leads to improved central haemodynamics [289] and endothelial function [290]; the effect of high-intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness is detrimental [290]. Beneficial effects have been reported following smoking cessation [162].…”

Arterial stiffness in patients with COPD: the role of systemic inflammation and the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation

“…However, the effects of exercise training on arterial stiffness in elderly patient populations are contradictory [34][35][36][37][38]. This issue is further complicated by the heterogeneity among studies in modality, frequency and duration of exercise training, and in the assessment method for arterial stiffness.…”

Efeitos induzidos pelo treinamento de força: revisão sobre as alterações fisiológicas em indivíduos hipertensos

“…Em relação às substâncias vasoativas, Croymans et al (2014) destacam que os níveis elevados de Fator de Crescimento Vascular e Endotelial (VEGF), encontrados em seu estudo, sugerem uma adaptação fisiológica ao TF que pode estar relacionada com o aumento da angiogênese e preservação da função endotelial.…”

“…A diminuição da PA sistêmica foi descrita como um dos principais efeitos sistêmicos consequentes do TF, em indivíduos hipertensos (COLLIER et al, 2011;CROYMANS et al, 2014;NASCIMENTO et al, 2014).…”