Progressive Resistance Training Without Volume Increases Does Not Alter Arterial Stiffness and Aortic Wave Reflection

Abstract

Endurance exercise is efficacious in reducing arterial stiffness. However, the effect of resistance training (RT) on arterial stiffening is controversial. High-intensity, high-volume RT has been shown to increase arterial stiffness in young adults. We tested the hypothesis that an RT protocol consisting of progressively higher intensity without concurrent increases in training volume would not elicit increases in either central or peripheral arterial stiffness or alter aortic pressure wave reflection in young men and women. The RT group (n = 24; 21 ± 1 years) performed two sets of 8–12 repetitions to volitional fatigue on seven exercise machines on 3 days/week for 12 weeks, whereas the control group (n = 18; 22 ± 1 years) did not perform RT. Central and peripheral arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic pressure wave reflection (augmentation index; AIx), brachial flow–mediated dilation (FMD), and plasma levels of nitrate/nitrite (NOx) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured before and after RT. RT increased the one-repetition maximum for the chest press and the leg extension (P < 0.001). RT also increased lean body mass (P < 0.01) and reduced body fat (%; P < 0.01). However, RT did not affect carotid-radial, carotid-femoral, and femoral-distal PWV (8.4 ± 0.2 vs. 8.0 ± 0.2 m/sec; 6.5 ± 0.1 vs. 6.3 ± 0.2 m/sec; 9.5 ± 0.3 vs. 9.5 ± 0.3 m/sec, respectively) or AIx (2.5% ± 2.3% vs. 4.8% ± 1.8 %, respectively). Additionally, no changes were observed in brachial FMD, NOx, NE, or blood pressures. These results suggest that an RT protocol consisting of progressively higher intensity without concurrent increases in training volume does not increase central or peripheral arterial stiffness or alter aortic pressure wave characteristics in young subjects.