Central Blood Pressure in Young Kendo Athletes: Implications of Combined Anaerobic and Strength Training

Abstract

Background:Exercise training-induced adaptation of central Blood Pressure (BP) depends on exercise mode. Kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art, is a unique exercise mode because its training encompasses anaerobic and resistance training components. However, the effects of habitual kendo training on central BP have not been established. Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the central BP of high-level kendo athletes and age-matched controls without exercise habits.Methods: Thirty-six young university kendo athletes (the kendo athlete group) and 29 young sedentary individuals (the control group) participated in this cross-sectional study. Central hemodynamics were estimated from carotid arterial waveforms via a generalized transfer function. Stroke volume was computed from brachial arterial waveforms using the Modelflow method.Results: Central systolic BP and Central Pulse Pressure (cPP) were higher in the kendo athlete group than in the control group (both, p < 0.01). Central diastolic BP did not differ between the two groups. Stroke Volume Index (SVI; stroke volume adjusted for body surface area) and the maximum rate of aortic pressure rise during systole (dP/dT max ), which reflects left ventricle contractility, were significantly higher in the kendo athlete group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and these parameters showed a significant positive correlation with cPP (SVI: r = 0.34, p < 0.01; dP/dT max : r = 0.79, p < 0.01). Conclusion:These results suggest that habitual kendo training may increase central pulse pressure through increases in left ventricular systolic function.

Sports activities at a young age decrease hypertension risk—The J‐Fit+ study

“…Although current athletes exhibit elevated blood pressure, this may be an adaptation to exercise training and does not influence the development of hypertension after retirement. It has been suggested that resistance and endurance training‐induced increased PP is an adaptation to the exercise training due to an increased cardiac function (Yoshioka et al, 2021 ), and the cardiovascular adaptation to the exercise training returns to the baseline levels after the detraining period (Miyachi et al, 2004 ; Mustata et al, 2004 ). In the present study, although current athletes showed higher blood pressure than the non‐athlete controls, former athletes did not exhibit a higher prevalence of hypertension than the general population.…”