The Effects of a 11‐Week Resistance Training Program on Arterial Stiffness in Females

Abstract

Arterial stiffness is an indicator of disease and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. There have been inconsistencies from previous investigations examining the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness in female participants. Objective This study was conducted to examine the effect of two resistance training models on arterial stiffness in females. Hypothesis We tested the hypothesis that 11 weeks of either high-intensity or high-volume resistance training would not increase indices of arterial stiffness in young, healthy females. Methods 24 female, untrained college students aged 18-22 years were randomized into one of three groups: control (CON) group (n = 8), high-intensity resistance exercise (HI) group (n = 8), and high-volume resistance exercise (HV) group (n = 8). Subjects randomized to resistance training groups were required to perform strength training exercises three to five days a week for 11 weeks. The exercise regimen consisted of 2-3 sets of 3-8 repetitions (80-90% of 1-repetition maximum (1 RM)) for the HI group and 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions (50%-70% of 1 RM) for the HV group. All subjects were instructed to continue their normal diet and avoid cardiovascular exercise during the study. Results Following the intervention, there was a significant increase in carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (C-F PWV) (6.39±0.73 to 8.4±2.31; P < 0.05) and carotid radial (C-R) PWV (9.77±1.74 to 12.58±2.09; P < 0.05) in the CON group only. Both CON and HI groups had significantly decreased central pulse pressure (cPP) (-15.3±12.4 vs. -13.11±12.0 percent change; P < 0.05), respectively. Both the HI and HV groups increased their maximum squat (36.6±7.9 vs.41.3±31.8 percent change; P < 0.05), bench press (34.4±12.6 vs. 23.4±11.1 percent change; P < 0.05), and seated row (22.0±12.6 vs. 21.9±12.5 percent change; P < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion Our findings support the use of resistance training exercise without undue impact on vascular compliance in healthy, young females.