Carotid artery reactivity during sympathetic activation following acute resistance exercise.

Objective: Acute resistance exercise has been shown to reduce brachial endothelial function. Whether there are concomitant reductions in carotid endothelial function remains unexplored.

Methods: Cold pressor test-mediated vasodilation of the carotid artery was used to assess carotid endothelial function in 15 young and healthy participants (age 26 ± 1 years, body mass index 24 ± 1 kg/m) after acute resistance exercise or an inactive time control condition.

Results: Acute resistance exercise had no effect on the cold pressor test-mediated vasodilation compared to time control (5.8 ± 0.8 vs 6.2 ± 0.9% dilation, p > 0.05).

Interpretation: Carotid endothelial function may not be compromised following acute resistance exercise in young healthy adults.