PURPOSE: To determine if there are sex-specific responses to heavy battle rope exercise (HRE) on measures of pulse wave reflection. METHODS: Twenty-seven resistance-trained individuals (Men: n=14, Mean±SD: Age: 23 ± 3 yrs; Women: n=13, Age: 22 ± 2yrs) participated. All measurements were collected at Rest, and 15 (Rec1), 30 (Rec2), and 60 (Rec3) minutes following HRE. Augmentation index (AIx), augmentation index at 75bpm ([email protected]), wasted left ventricle energy (EW), and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) were recorded via applanation tonometry. HRE utilized six 15-second exercise bouts using a double wave pattern (180bpm), with 30-second seated recovery. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine sex differences across time. RESULTS: There were significant sex by time interactions for AIx (p = 0.003), [email protected] (p = 0.029), and EW (p ≤ 0.001). AIx for men was augmented compared to women during Rec1, Rec2, and Rec3 (Men= Rest: 9.4 ± 9.6 %, Rec1: 31.4 ± 13.1 %, Rec2: 18.3 ± 12.4 %, Rec3: 18.6 ± 8.3 %; Women= Rest: 10.5 ± 10.8 %, Rec1: 21.1 ± 10.6 %, Rec2: 12.6 ± 7.3 %, Rec3: 7.1 ± 5.7 %). [email protected] for men was augmented during Rec1, Rec2 and Rec3 compared to women (Men= Rest: 0.4 ± 7.6 %, Rec1: 33.6 ± 12.4 %, Rec2: 20.1 ± 13.3 %, Rec3:15.8 ± 9.9 %; Women= Rest: 16.8 ± 39.5 %, Rec1: 33.6 ± 12.4 %, Rec2: 20.1 ± 13.3 %, Rec3: 15.8 ± 9.9 %). EW for men was augmented compared to women during Rec1, Rec2, and Rec3 (Men= Rest: 305.4 ± 219.6 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec1: 2153.5 ± 866.7 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec2: 1235.3 ± 779.5 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec3: 1212.0 ± 593.7 dynes/sec/cm-2; Women= Rest: 258.4 ± 248.2 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec1: 1257.3 ± 656.7 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec2: 706.1 ± 688.9 dynes/sec/cm-2, Rec3: 331.9 ± 287.2 dynes/sec/cm-2). Compared to Rest, AIx, [email protected], and EW for men was significantly greater during Rec3, while Rec3 for women returned to Rest. SEVR had a significant main effect of time (p ≤ 0.001), in that Rest was augmented compared to Rec1, Rec2, and Rec3 for both sexes (Men= Rest: 159.4 ± 26.0 % , Rec1: 92.3 ± 14.2 %, Rec2: 103.9 ± 27.6 %, Rec3: 127.6 ± 22.4 %; Women= Rest: 142.4 ± 25.3 %, Rec1: 83.2 ± 15.5 %, Rec2: 109.0 ± 21.3 %, Rec3: 129.3 ± 22.0 %). CONCLUSION: These data suggest sex differences in pulse wave velocity after HRE. There was a greater decrement of left ventricular function in men up to 60 minutes, and women recovered faster following HRE.
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