The Effects of Resistance Training on Resting Blood Pressure in Women

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to document the effects of a 20-week resistance training (RT) program or resistance training plus walking (RT/W) program on resting blood pressure in 28 moderately obese women, and to compare resting blood pressures of 42 women of various fitness levels and states of RT. The subjects in the training study were 28 moderately obese women, and the subjects in the cross-sectional study were 42 women of various fitness levels and states of RT. For all subjects, resting blood pressure was measured on 2 consecutive days in a semirecumbent position. Results from the training study showed no significant changes in blood pressure as a result of RT or RT/W. In the cross-sectional study, no significant difference in systolic blood pressure occurred among highly (HRT), moderately (MRT) or untrained (UNT) subjects. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly lower in the HRT group when compared with either the MRT or UNT groups, whereas DBP was not different between the MRT and UNT groups. Both the training and cross-sectional studies of this investigation demonstrate that RT is not associated with a chronic increase in resting blood pressure in normotensive women. The cross-sectional study suggests that highly RT individuals might even be at reduced risk for hypertension.