The Effects of Strength Training on Arterial Stiffness in Women

Abstract

0377 Cross-sectional studies reported that chronic resistance training is associated with arterial stiffening in men. These findings are in marked contrast to those found with aerobic exercise and may have important clinical relevance with regard to cardiovascular disease risk. However, the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness has not been confirmed by interventional studies nor has this relation been investigated in women. PURPOSE: To determine if a short-term, high-intensity, progressive strength training program increases regional and central arterial stiffness in women. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy young women (30 ± 1 yrs) participated in a high intensity strength and power training program 90 min/day, 4 days/wk for 128 wks. Two days of the week were devoted to leg/trunk exercises and two days to upper body exercises. Heavy (85% 1 repetition maximum (RM), 8–10 reps × 3 sets) and light (65% 1 RM, 10 reps × 3 sets) exercises were performed each day. Ten other women (27 ± 2 yrs) served as time controls. Blood pressure and measures of arterial stiffness were obtained using a recently-validated automatic device (Colin VP-2000; Colin Medical, San Antonio, TX). RESULTS: One RMrepetition maximal strength increased between 12 and 17% (p < 0.0001)., L and leg fat-free mass (via DEXA) also increased significantly. Brachial blood pressure and fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations did not change across the 128 wks. Carotid augmentation index, a measure of arterial wave reflection and arterial stiffness, increased from −8.3 ± 2.6 to 0.5 ± 3.5% (p < 0.05). There were no changes in carotid-femoral or femoralankle pulse wave velocity which are, segmental measures of central and peripheral arterial stiffness, respectively. There were no significant changes in any of the variables in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A high intensity resistance training program increases amplification of arterial wave reflection that is associated with arterial stiffness in women. Our present interventional results are consistent with the previous cross-sectional studies indicating that high intensity strength training is associated with arterial stiffening. Supported by the Austin Fire Department, GSSI, and NIH grant AG20966