Effect of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on circulating progenitor cells in sedentary men

Abstract

Circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) may improve hemodynamic function by enhancing neovasculogenesis. This study investigated whether combined aerobic and resistance exercise training affected cardiac and muscular hemodynamics by modulating CPCs. Twelve healthy sedentary males were trained on a bicycle ergometer (60% VO2max for 30 minutes) for 3 days/week and an isokinetic dynamometer (alternating 60°–180°/s for 6 to 10 sessions) for 2 days/week for 6 weeks. A noninvasive bioreactance device was used to measure cardiac hemodynamics, and near‐infrared spectroscopy was applied to assess perfusion/oxygenation in vastus lateralis. The levels of various CPCs were detected by three‐color flow cytometry. The results showed that combined aerobic and resistance exercise training significantly increased work‐rate and VO2 at maximal performance, which was accompanied by the increases in cardiac output and perfusion/oxygenation of vastus lateralis during exercise. This training regimen simultaneously increased CD34+/KDR+, CD34+/KDR+/CD117+, CD34+/KDR+/CD133+, or CD34+/KDR+/CD31+ cells, as well as, decreased these CPCs with exposure of phosphatidylserine in blood. Hence, we conclude that combined aerobic and resistance exercise training promotes mobilization and suppresses apoptosis of CPCs, which is associated with the improvements in cardiac and muscular hemodynamic functions.