The effects of an acute bout of traditional versus circuit resistance exercise on arterial stiffness and blood pressure

Arterial stiffness increases cardiovascular disease risk for stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of resistance exercise intensity on arterial stiffness and blood pressure. Two resistance exercise conditions, low intensity (CREP; 40%1RM) and high intensity (TREP; 80%1RM), were compared. In a longitudinal, cross-over study design, thirty-two subjects (n=32, 17 male, and 15 female, mean age= 24.6 +/-4years) completed both conditions on separate days. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used as a measure of central and peripheral arterial stiffness at baseline, at 15 minutes post, and at 30 minutes post exercise. Central PWV increased in the CREP mode and returned toward baseline at 30 minutes post-exercise (p<0.05). Central PWV did not change in the TREP mode. Peripheral PWV increased in the TREP mode and remained elevated at 30 minutes post-exercise (p<0.05). Peripheral PWV did not change in the CREP mode. Mean blood pressure (MAP) (p<.05) decreased following CREP but did not change following TREP (p<.05). Neither CREP not TREP had any effect on indices of heart rate variability. These findings suggest that resistance exercise intensity has differential effects on blood pressure and arterial stiffness; and that acute resistance exercise influences central and peripheral arterial stiffness