EFFECTS OF WEIGHT TRAINING ON PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSES TO STANDARDIZED LOADS IN MEN WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Abstract

PURPOSE This study evaluated the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training (RT) on the physiologic responses to lifting standardized loads in previously non-resistance trained men (n=8) with documented coronary disease. METHODS Baseline hemodynamic measures of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and perceived exertion (6–20 scale) were obtained on 3 different devices (chest press, leg press, and seated rowing machine) at individually determined loads corresponding to “somewhat hard” following 10 repetitions. SBPs were measured using an adult cuff with an aneroid gauge at the radial artery for the leg press and posterior tibial artery for the chest press and seated row using a continuous wave ultrasound doppler flow detector. Participants completed 8 weeks of RT utilizing 2 sets of 10 repetitions on 7 different RT machines with 2 minutes of rest between sets. Weekly reviews were conducted to ensure proper load progression. At the completion of the program, participants were re-tersted on the 3 devices listed above, using the identical pre-training loads. Differences ▵ from pre-to post were calculated by subtracting the prevalue from the post. Mean (±SD) results were:Table: No Caption AvailableCONCLUSION Although HR was essentially unchanged, SBP was significantly decreased during the seated row, with a trend toward a reduced SBP during the chest press. Perceived exertion was significantly reduced at all loads. These findings highlight the potential benefits of RT for coronary patients.