The Effect Of Resistance Training On Vascular Function And Central Blood Pressure In African American Men

Abstract

PURPOSE: Young African American men have stiffer large central arteries, impaired dilation of smaller peripheral arteries and greater central blood pressure (BP) when compared to their white peers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resistance exercise training (RT) on vascular function and central BP in young (age 22 yrs) African American and white men. METHODS: Vascular and hemodynamic measures were made in 19 African American and 18 white men at baseline and following 6-weeks of RT. Carotid BP and carotid artery beta-stiffness were measured by tonometry and ultrasonography respectively. Aortic BP and augmentation index (AIx) were measured by radial artery tonometry and a generalized transfer function. Aortic and brachial stiffness were measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Brachial blood flow was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. Forearm blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography at rest and during reactive hyperemia (RH) induced by 5-min of upper arm occlusion. RESULTS: There were similar reductions in aortic systolic BP, carotid systolic BP, forearm vascular resistance and brachial vascular resistance in both African American and white men following training (p<0.05). There were similar increases in peak forearm blood flow and forearm blood flow area under the curve measured during RH in both African American and white men following training (p<0.05). There were no changes in brachial systolic BP, carotid stiffness, aortic AIx, aortic PWV, and brachial PWV in either group (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RT reduced central BP while having no effect on brachial BP in young African American and white men. Resistance exercise training appears to be a useful lifestyle intervention for improving peripheral vascular function while not detrimentally affecting central vascular function in young African American men.