| Summary: | Although, the cardioprotective effects of aerobic exercise are proven, not much is known about resistance exercise. Arterial wave reflection measured as augmentation index (AIx), and pulse pressure(PP) amplification are independent prognosticators of CV morbidity and mortality. However, how these parameters are impacted by cardiopulmonary fitness (CPF) and acute bouts of different types of exercise is unclear.
Our aim was to investigate the relationship between CPF, arterial stiffness, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Furthermore, we compared the acute cardiovascular effects of aerobic exercise to resistance exercise.
Eighteen healthy subjects (male=8, aged 23± 3) underwent a maximal exercise test, followed by measurement of AIx, blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose, lipid profile and hs-CRP. The subjects were randomised in a cross-over design to aerobic and resistance exercise and BP, AIx and PP amplification measured before and immediately after exercise. Results were analysed by JMP Version 7.1 and p<0.05 considered significant.
VO2max was significantly and inversely related to augmentation pressure and AIx and positively with PP amplification, independent of gender and BP. Despite higher BP following aerobic exercise, there was a significant reduction in AIx and PP amplification compared with resistance exercise which was associated with increased arterial stiffness and reduced PP amplification.
Impaired CPF is associated with stiff arteries and poor PP amplification, highlighting the impaired buffering capacity of the arteries and endothelial dysfunction in unfit individuals at an early age. Furthermore, resistance exercise is associated with arterial stiffening and should therefore be prescribed with caution to those with cardiovascular disease.
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