Effects of Resistance Training and Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training on Arterial Stiffness in Adults

Abstract

Arterial stiffness is one of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aerobic exercise is efficacious in reducing arterial stiffness. However, the effect of resistance training (RT) on arterial stiffening is controversial. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of RT and combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on arterial stiffness and CVD risk factors of young healthy men. METHODS: Thirty-six subjects (20.22 ± 2.47 years) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to either RT (n = 12), CART (n = 12), or sedentary control (SC) group (n = 12). The RT and CART groups performed RT three times a week for 12 weeks. The CART group also performed a cycle exercise at 70-80% of the maximal heart rate for 30 min immediately after each RT session. One-repetition maximum (1RM), blood lipid profiles, arterial stiffness index (ASI), and body composition were measured before and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: (1) Both RT and CART groups significantly increased 1RM values on all training muscle groups (p <.05), (2) no significant changes in ASI were observed in the RT and CART groups after training, and (3) both systolic blood pressure (+6.83 mmHg, p <.05) and pulse pressure (+7.00 mmHg, p <.05) were higher in the RT group than those in the SC group after training. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that 12 weeks of moderate intensity whole-body RT and CART dose not alter arterial stiffness, suggesting that RT when performed in accordance with health organizations guideline does not have a deleterious on arterial function.