Vascular Responses Following an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise in Resistance-trained Individuals

Abstract

Evaluation of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection provide insight into vascular function to a greater degree than traditional measures such as blood pressure (BP). PURPOSE: To determine the effects of an acute bout of free-weight resistance exercise on arterial stiffness, peripheral and central BP, and pulse wave reflection in young, resistance trained individuals. METHODS: Fifteen young, healthy individuals (aged 23±3 yrs) with 9±3 yrs of resistance training volunteered for the study. Participants performed 2 counterbalanced sessions consisting of an acute bout of resistance exercise (ARE) using free-weights or a quiet control. The ARE consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% 1 repetition maximum for the squat, bench press, and deadlift with 2 minutes of rest between sets and exercises. The quiet control consisted of the participant lying supine for 30 minutes. Data were collected at rest and 10 minutes during recovery for each session. Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) while pulse wave reflection was evaluated using applanation tonometry. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the effects of condition (ARE, control) across time (rest, recovery). RESULTS: There was a significant interaction for cfPWV (rest: 5.34±0.61; recovery: 5.86±0.74, p≤0.05) such that it was elevated during recovery from the ARE, but not the control. There were no significant interactions (p>0.05) for peripheral or central BP. However, there were significant interactions for the augmentation index (AIx)(rest: 115.8±8.7; recovery: 123.2±8.5, p=0.004), the AIx normalized at 75bpm (rest: 3.3±14.9; recovery: 27.3±13.1, p=0.0001), augmentation pressure (rest: 4.5±5.7; recovery: 10.4±5.7mmHg, p=0.003), time of the reflected wave (rest: 150.3±7.1ms; recovery: 145.5±5.6ms, p=0.003), and wasted left ventricular energy (rest: 641.6±684.2dynes s/cm2; recovery: 1785.3±920.6dynes s/cm2, p=0.013) such that they were altered during recovery from the ARE but not the control. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that an acute bout of free-weight resistance exercise does not alter peripheral or central BP, but does significantly increase arterial stiffness and measures of pulse wave reflection.