Resistance Exercise Training Does Not Affect Post-exercise Hypotension And Wave Reflection In Women With Fibromyalgia

Abstract

It has been suggested that women with Fibromyalgia (FM) have altered hemodynamic responses to acute resistance exercise. Currently there are no data on wave reflection in response to resistance exercise in women with FM. In addition, the effects of resistance exercise training (RET) on hemodynamics and wave reflection in response to acute resistance exercise are unknown in women with FM. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of RET on aortic wave reflection and hemodynamics during recovery from acute resistance exercise in women with Fibromyalgia and healthy women (HW). METHODS: Nine women with FM (42 ± 5 yrs; mean ± SD) and 14 HW (45 ± 5 yrs) completed testing at baseline and after 12 weeks of whole-body RET that consisted of 3 sets of 5 exercises. Heart rate (HR), digital blood pressure (BP, plethysmography), aortic BP and wave reflection (radial tonometry) were assessed before and 20 minutes after acute leg resistance exercise. RESULTS: Aortic (FM and HW: -11.1 ± 2.1% and -10.1 ± 2.4%) and digital diastolic BP (DBP) (FM and HW: -12.5 ± 2.6% and -11.5 ± 2.1%) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and aortic (FM and HW: 46.2 ± 7.5% and 25.0 ± 6.6%) and digital pulse pressures (PP) (FM and HW: 38.2 ± 6.0% and 27.7 ± 2.8%) were significantly increased (p<0.05) after acute exercise before RET. There was no effect of acute resistance exercise on HR, wave reflection (augmentation index and reflection time), digital or aortic systolic BP. RET improved muscle strength without affecting acute DBP and PP responses. CONCLUSIONS: Acute resistance exercise produces post-exercise diastolic hypotension without affecting SBP, HR, and wave reflection responses in women with and without FM. RET does not alter resting and post-exercise hemodynamics and aortic wave reflection in premenopausal women. Supported by ACSM Foundation Research Grant (FRG).