GREATER AGE-RELATED REDUCTIONS IN CENTRAL ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE IN RESISTANCE-TRAINED MEN

Abstract

PURPOSE Reductions in the compliance of central arteries exert a number of adverse effects on systemic cardiovascular function and disease risk. Using a cross-sectional study design, we determined the relation between chronic resistance training and carotid arterial compliance. METHODS A total of 62 healthy normotensive men aged 20–39 (young) and 40–60 years (middle-aged) who were either sedentary or resistance trained were studied. RESULTS Regardless of resistance-trained status, carotid arterial compliance was lower (P < .05) in the middle-aged compared with the young men. There was no significant difference between young sedentary (.19 ± .01 mm2/mmHg) and resistance-trained men (.16 ± .01 mm2/mmHg). In the middle-aged group, carotid arterial compliance in the resistance- trained men (.11 ± .01 mm2/mmHg) was ∼30% lower (P < .05) than their sedentary peers (.15 ± .01 mm2/mmHg). Femoral artery compliance and arm pulse wave velocity were not different among any groups. Left ventricular hypertrophy index was greater (P < .05) in resistance-trained compared with sedentary men and was associated with carotid arterial compliance (r= −.35; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that 1) age-related reductions in central arterial compliance are greater in resistance-trained than sedentary men; 2) the effect of resistance training only pertains to central arteries whose cushioning function dampens fluctuations in pressure and flow; and 3) the lower arterial compliance in the resistance- trained men is associated with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy. In marked contrast to the beneficial effect of regular aerobic exercise, the present findings are not consistent with the idea that resistance training exerts beneficial influences on arterial wall buffering functions.