Effects of Resistance Training on Orthostatic Tolerance in Young Healthy Females

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of a Resistance Training (RT) program on orthostatic tolerance in apparently healthy young women to determine if RT can extend the time in which symptoms of pre-syncope occur, during a passive standing test. Fourteen women (age 22 ± 4 years) were evaluated during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, pre- and post-training for body composition and orthostatic tolerance (via tilt table test). The whole-body RT protocol (8 exercises; 3X per week) lasted 8 weeks, starting at 60% of their 1RM and increasing to 85% 1RM, and increased from 2 to 3 sets at week three. Body composition showed increases in lean mass by 1.13 kg (p = 0.01) & decreases in fat mass by 0.55 kg (p = 0.22) and tilt table time increased by 52.9 seconds (p = 0.04). Static Handgrip values increased 13.44 kg (p = 0.01). Our data suggests that resistance training can influence orthostatic tolerance and suggests favorable effects during orthostasis. Further research within an orthostatic intolerant population is warranted to investigate the changes in AF associated to resistance training exercise.