Received November 17, 2004
Revised January 13, 2005
Accepted after revision April 18, 2005
Human/environmental and exercise physiology
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Effect of whole body resistance training on arterial compliance in young healthy males
Mark Rakobowchuk 1,
Cheri L McGowan 1,
Patricia C de Groot 2,
Dave Bruinsma 1,
Joseph W Hartman 1,
Stuart M Phillips 1,
Maureen J MacDonald 1*
1 McMaster University
2 University Medical Centre Nijmegen
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: macdonmj{at}mcmaster.ca.
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Abstract |
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The effect of resistance training on arterial stiffening is controversial. We tested the hypothesis that resistance training would not alter central artery compliance. Young healthy males (n=28, age: 23±3.9 [mean±SE]) were whole body resistance trained 5 times a week for 12 weeks, using a rotating 3-day split-body routine. Resting brachial blood pressure (BP), carotid pulse pressure, carotid cross-sectional compliance (CSC), carotid initima-media thickness (IMT), and left ventricular dimensions were evaluated PRE, 6wk; MID, and POST. CSC was measured using the pressure-sonography method. Results indicate reductions in brachial (61.1±1.4 vs. 57.6±1.2 mmHg; P<0.01) and carotid pulse pressure (52.2±1.9 vs. 46.8±2.0 mmHg; P<0.01) PRE to POST. In contrast, carotid CSC and 
-stiffness index, IMT and cardiac dimensions were unchanged. In young men, central artery compliance is unaltered with 12 wk of resistance training and the mechanisms responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and reduced arterial compliance are not inherent to all resistance training programs or may require a prolonged stimulus.
Key Words:
Blood pressure, Cardiovascular, Exercise
