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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Mar;28(3):157-64.
doi: 10.1038/jhh.2013.81. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Effects of resistance training on central blood pressure in obese young men

D M Croymans  1 , S L Krell  2 , C S Oh  2 , M Katiraie  2 , C Y Lam  2 , R A Harris  3 , C K Roberts  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of resistance training on central blood pressure in obese young men

D M Croymans et al. J Hum Hypertens. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Central blood pressure is a predictor of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the effects of resistance training (RT) on central blood pressure are largely unknown. This study explored the effects of high-intensity RT on central blood pressure, indices of arterial stiffness and wave reflection and inflammatory/atherogenic markers in overweight or obese, sedentary young men. Thirty-six participants were randomized to RT (12 weeks of training, 3/wk, n=28) or control groups (C, 12 weeks of no training, n=8) and assessed for changes in central and brachial blood pressures, augmentation index (AIx), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), body composition, lipids and inflammatory/atherogenic markers. High-intensity RT resulted in decreased central and brachial systolic/diastolic blood pressures (all P0.03), despite not altering AIx (P=0.34) or cfPWV (P=0.43). The vascular endothelial growth factor increased (P=0.03) after RT, without any change in cIMT, C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL (oxLDL) or other inflammatory markers (all P0.1). Changes in the central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) were positively correlated with changes in oxLDL (r=0.42, P=0.03) and soluble E-selectin (r=0.41, P=0.04). In overweight/obese young men, high-intensity RT decreases cSBP, independently of weight loss and changes in arterial stiffness. The cardioprotective effects of RT may be related to effects on central blood pressure.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Central and brachial blood pressures. Bar graphs present median and 95% CI. *P<0.05 for within-group significance using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
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