The effects of resistance exercise training on arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2016-05, Vol.116 (5), p.899-910
• Main Authors: DeVallance, E., Fournier, S., Lemaster, K., Moore, C., Asano, S., Bonner, D., Donley, D., Olfert, I. M., Chantler, P. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arteries - physiology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Diabetes; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Fitness training programs; Human Physiology; Humans; Male; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - physiopathology; Middle age; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physical fitness; Pulse Wave Analysis - methods; Resistance Training - methods; Risk Factors; Sports Medicine; Strength training; Vascular Stiffness - physiology
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-016-3348-4

Purpose Arterial stiffness is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is elevated in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Resistance training is a popular form of exercise that has beneficial effects on muscle mass, strength, balance and glucose control. However, it is unknown whether resistance exercise training (RT) can lower arterial stiffness in patients with MetS. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether a progressive RT program would improve arterial stiffness in MetS. Methods A total of 57 subjects (28 healthy sedentary subjects; 29 MetS) were evaluated for arterial structure and function, including pulse wave velocity (cfPWV: arterial stiffness), before and after an 8-week period of RT or continuation of sedentary lifestyle. Results We found that 8 weeks of progressive RT increased skeletal muscle strength in both Con and MetS, but did not change arterial stiffness in either MetS (cfPWV; Pre 7.9 ± 0.4 m/s vs. Post 7.7 ± 0.4 m/s) or healthy controls (cfPWV; Pre 6.9 ± 0.3 m/s vs. Post 7.0 ± 0.3 m/s). However, when cfPWV is considered as a continuous variable, high baseline measures of cfPWV tended to show a decrease in cfPWV following RT. Conclusion Eight weeks of progressive RT did not decrease the group mean values of arterial stiffness in individuals with MetS or healthy controls.