Endothelial function of young healthy males following whole body resistance training

Abstract

Given the increasing emphasis on performance of resistance exercise as an essential component of health, we evaluated, using a prospective longitudinal design, the potential for resistance training to affect arterial endothelial function. Twenty-eight men (23 +/- 3.9 yr old; mean +/- SE) engaged in 12 wk of whole body resistance training five times per week using a repeating split-body 3-day cycle. Brachial endothelial function was measured using occlusion cuff-induced flow-mediated dilation. After occlusion of the forearm for 4.5 min, brachial artery dilation and postocclusion blood flow was measured continuously for 15 and 70 s, respectively. Peak and 10-s postocclusion blood flow, shear rate, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (relative and normalized to shear rate) were measured pretraining (Pre), at 6 wk of training (Mid), and at 13 wk of training (Post). Results indicated an increase of mean brachial artery diameter by Mid and Post vs. Pre. Peak and 10-s postocclusion blood flow increased by Mid and remained elevated at Post; however, shear rates were not different at any time point. Relative and normalized flow-mediated dilation was also not different at any time point. This study is the first to show that peripheral arterial remodeling does occur with resistance training in healthy young men. In addition, the increase in postocclusion blood flow may indicate improved resistance vessel function. However, unlike studies involving endurance training, flow-mediated dilation did not increase with resistance training. Thus arterial adaptations with high-pressure loads, such as those experienced during resistance exercise, may be quite different compared with endurance training.

Effects of muscle contraction timing during resistance training on vascular function

“…Recent studies reported that resistance training or aerobic training increased brachial and femoral artery diameter. 31,[34][35][36] These results suggest that both types of training cause enlargement at the level of the major conduit arteries. The present findings extend these results from endurance-trained individuals to those who perform resistance training.…”

“…These results are consistent with those of a previous study. 31 However, the previous study increased the training load stepwise during the training period. As this study involved a high-intensity training load from the start, our findings are important.…”

Effects of resistance exercise training on resting and post-exercise forearm blood flow and wave reflection in overweight and obese women

“…10,11,19 In agreement with our findings, Collier et al 11 demonstrated that 4 weeks of RET increased resting FBF in middle-aged men and women with pre-hypertension. Furthermore, previous studies demonstrated that 6 10 and 12 36 weeks of RET increased FBF and vasodilatory capacity at rest in young men. Moreover, Olson et al 9 found an increase in resting brachial flowmediated dilation after 1 year of moderate-intensity RET in overweight premenopausal women.…”

Effect of 4 weeks of aerobic or resistance exercise training on arterial stiffness, blood flow and blood pressure in pre- and stage-1 hypertensives

“…11,12 However, these findings are controversial, as not all studies show an increase in arterial stiffness with resistance training. 13,14 Increases in arterial stiffness, which are associated with increased mortality and morbidity, can lead to decreases in blood flow because of increased peripheral resistance. 15 As arterial stiffness is related to increased pulse pressure and myocardial load, RE may potentially lead to myocardial hypertrophy.…”