Resistance and aerobic exercise protects against acute endothelial impairment induced by a single exposure to hypertension during exertion

Abstract

Resistance and aerobic exercise is recommended for cardiovascular health and disease prevention. However, the accompanying increase in arterial pressure during resistance exercise may be detrimental to vascular health. This study tests the vascular benefits of aerobic compared with resistance exercise on preventing impaired vascular function induced by a single weight lifting session that is associated with acute hypertension. Healthy, lean sedentary (SED) subjects, weight lifters, runners (>15 miles/wk), and cross trainers (chronic aerobic and resistance exercisers), underwent a single progressive leg press weight lifting session with blood pressure measurements. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD; an index of arterial endothelial function) was determined using ultrasonography immediately before and after weight lifting. Sublingual nitroglycerin (0.4 mg) was used to determine endothelium-independent dilation after weight lifting. All subjects were normotensive with similar blood pressure responses during exercise. Baseline FMD was lower in runners (5.4 ± 0.5%; n = 13) and cross trainers (4.44 ± 0.3%; n = 13) vs. SED (8.5 ± 0.8%; n = 13; P = 0.037). Brachial FMD improved in conditioned weight lifters (to 8.8 ± 0.9%; P = 0.007) and runners (to 7.6 ± 0.6%; P < 0.001) but not cross trainers (to 5.3 ± 0.6%; P = NS) after acute hypertension. FMD was decreased in SED (to 5.7 ± 0.4%; P = 0.019). Dilation to nitroglycerin was similar among groups. These data suggest that endothelial responses are maintained after exposure to a single bout of weight lifting in resistance and aerobic athletes. Resistance and aerobic exercise may confer similar protection against acute vascular insults such as exertional hypertension.

Evaluation of biochemical and clinical markers of endothelial dysfunction and their correlation with urinary albumin excretion in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Just before the cuff inflation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured on the left arm. Brachial artery FMD was used as a measure of endothelium dependent vasodilation (EDV) using techniques previously described (17,18). In the supine state, ultrasound imaging (7 MHz, Acuson 128 XP, Mountain view, CA) of the brachial artery was performed in a longitudinal plane at a site 1-3 cm proximal to the antecubital fossa of the arm.…”

Circuit Resistance Training Attenuates Acute Exertion-Induced Reductions in Arterial Function but Not Inflammation in Obese Women

“…Brachial artery FMD was used as a noninvasive measure of endothelium-dependent vasodilator function using previously described techniques. 13,29,30 In premenopausal women, FMD may vary during the menstrual cycle 31 ; therefore, all participants underwent study procedures during FIG. 1.…”

“…Baseline brachial artery flow velocity and peak velocity after cuff release were recorded using central velocity measures described previously. 13,29 The velocity detecting range was from -30 to 140 cm/sec within a sample volume of 2 mm. Nitroglycerin-induced dilation was also assessed at baseline and follow-up.…”

“…13 Percent FMD and NTG responses were calculated using the averaged minimum mean brachial artery diameter at baseline compared with the largest mean values obtained after release of the forearm occlusion or administration of NTG. Peak shear rate (SR) was calculated as flow velocity (cm/sec) divided by vessel diameter.…”

“…Paradoxically, cross-sectional studies indicate that exerciseinduced reductions in FMD are not apparent in trained populations who regularly engage in exercise. 12,16 Given that obesity and sedentary lifestyle independently contribute to low-grade inflammation 17,18 and reduced NO bioavailability, 13,19 it is plausible to hypothesize that inflammation may be a critical factor mediating postexercise reductions in FMD among obese and sedentary populations.…”