Circuit resistance training improved endothelial dysfunction in obese aged women

Abstract

It is widely accepted that obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction. In a recent paper, we have also found circuit resistancetraining may reduce visceral fat in obese aged women. Accordingly, the current study was conducted to ascertain the effects of circuit resistancetraining on markers of endothelial dysfunction in this population group. In the present interventional study, a total of 48 obese aged women were recruited from the community. Twenty-four of them wererandomly assigned to perform a 12-week resistance circuit training programme, 3-days per week. This training was circularly performed in 6stations: arm curl, leg extension, seated row, leg curl, triceps extension and leg press. The Jamar handgrip electronic dynamometer was used toassess maximal handgrip strength of the dominant hand. Lastly, serum samples were analysed using an immunoassay (ELISA) for endothelin-1,intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). When compared to baseline, resistance training significantly reduced serum levels of endothelin-1 (2.28 ± 0.7 vs. 1.98 ± 1.1 pg/ml;p = 0.019; d = 0.67) and ICAM-1 (290 ± 69 vs. 255 ± 76 ng/ml; p = 0.004; d = 0.92) in the experimental group. No significant changes inany of the tested outcomes were found in the control group. A short-term circuit resistance program improved endothelial dysfunction in aged obese women. Further studies on this topic arestill required to consolidate this approach in clinical application.