Long-term intense resistance training in men is associated with preserved cardiac structure/function, decreased aortic stiffness, and lower central augmentation pressure.

Objective: There have been contradictory reports regarding resistance exercise and central arterial compliance. The American Heart Association has recommended its use in preventing/treating cardiovascular diseases. We examined the effects of long-term endurance running and intense resistance training on central hemodynamics, compared with healthy control (CON).

Methods: Sixty-nine male participants, 25-50 years [19 intense resistance trained (IRT) group, 21 endurance runners, and 29 CON] were investigated by radial tonometry-pulse wave analysis, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and echocardiogram. Data were expressed as mean ± SE (median). Differences were tested by analysis of variance and analysis of covariance was used to adjust for confounding variables.

Results: There were no differences among groups regarding age, height (Ht), brachial and central blood pressure. Resting heart rate (HR) was lower and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) higher in endurance runners. Weight, peripheral pulse pressure, and pulse pressure amplification were higher and HDL-C lower in the IRT group. Left ventricular mass and creatine phosphokinase were higher in trained participants. Relative wall thickness was similar among groups. The ratio of the velocity of peak E and A waves (E/A) was higher and PWV significantly lower in endurance runners (7.2 ± 0.14 m/s) and IRT (7.5 ± 0.14 m/s) as compared with CON (8.2 ± 0.16 m/s) even after adjustments for age, Ht, HR and mean arterial pressure (MAP), or mean systolic pressure. Differences in central augmentation pressure (cAP) adjusted for age, height, systolic or MAP, PWV, and HR (IRT equal to 0.08 ± 0.9, CON equal to 3.4 ± 0.9 and endurance running equal to 3.6 ± 1) were no longer significant after further adjustments to aortic diameter or weight.

Conclusion: Long-term resistance training in men is associated with preserved cardiac structure/function, decreased aortic stiffness, and lower cAP.