Short-term cycling restores endothelial dysfunction after resistance exercise.

Abstract

Resistance exercise impairs endothelial function. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to devise an effective strategy for restoring endothelial function after resistance exercise. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that resistance exercise-induced endothelial dysfunction would be restored by low-to-moderateintensity cycling. Seventeen young healthy subjects completed two randomized experimental trials: (a) resistance exercise only trial; and (b) cycling after the resistance exercise trial. Following baseline brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), subjects performed the resistance exercise. Following the resistance exercise, they were asked to rest in the supine position for the assessments of FMD. Subjects in the resistance exercise only trial maintained this supine position for 60minutes, whereas those in the other trial cycled for 10minutes after the resistance exercise trial. Subjects were again asked to rest in the supine position after cycling. Then FMD were repeated at 30 and 60minutes after the resistance exercise in both trials. In the resistance exercise only trial, the increased blood flow and shear rate were disappeared after 1hour of resting in the supine position, but were maintained in those in the cycling after the resistance trial due to subsequent cycling. Both trials caused a significant impairment in FMD at 10minutes after the resistance exercise (P<0.05). This decline was sustained for 60minutes in the resistance exercise only trial. However, the impaired FMD was restored in the cycling after the resistance exercise trial. In conclusion, impaired endothelial function after the resistance exercise can be restored with 10minutes of low-to-moderateintensity cycling.