Effect of Limb-Specific Resistance Training on Central and Peripheral Artery Stiffness in Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Minyoung Kim,Ruda Lee,Moon-Hyon Hwang,Nyeonju Kang

doi:10.3390/app11062737

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of limb-specific resistance training on arterial stiffness in young adults. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to three groups: upper-limb resistance training (n = 8 (URT)), lower-limb resistance training (n = 8 (LRT)), and control group (n = 8 (CON)). Both URT and LRT groups performed the limb-specific resistance training at 70–80% of one-repetition maximum twice a week for 8 weeks. The aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (AIx) were measured by the SphygmoCor XCEL to assess central artery stiffness. Peripheral artery stiffness was evaluated by brachial to radial artery pulse wave velocity (ArmPWV) and femoral to posterior tibial artery pulse wave velocity (LegPWV) using Doppler flowmeters. URT significantly reduced AIx (4.7 ± 3.0 vs. 0.3 ± 2.9%, pre vs. post, P = 0.01), and ArmPWV presented a tendency to decrease following URT (10.4 ± 0.3 vs. 8.6 ± 0.8 m/s, pre vs. post, P = 0.06). LRT showed no negative influence on central and peripheral artery stiffness. Changes in serum triglyceride and leg lean body mass after resistance training were significantly associated with changes in AIx and LegPWV, respectively. URT is beneficial in decreasing central artery wave reflection and may help to improve local peripheral artery stiffness even in healthy young adults.

Highlights

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death, and arterial stiffness is an early marker of CVD risk [1]
This study was performed to investigate the effect of limb-specific resistance training on both central and peripheral artery stiffness in young adults
Previous studies imply that an increase in muscular strength after exercise training is associated with a decrease in central artery stiffness

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death, and arterial stiffness is an early marker of CVD risk [1]. An increase in large elastic artery stiffness augments central blood pressure and left ventricular load, which in turn reduces coronary artery perfusion and may increase acute cardiac event risk [3,4]. A decrease in arterial distensibility, a measure of arterial stiffness, increases the number of cardiovascular risk factors [5]. Both aerobic and resistance exercises are recommended to prevent chronic diseases and to promote overall health in various populations [6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. Low-intensity resistance exercise decreased arterial stiffness, whereas moderate- to highintensity resistance exercise augmented arterial stiffness in healthy young adults [20,21,22,23,24]

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Conclusion