ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effects of leg resistance training on arterial function in older men

S Maeda^1,2, T Otsuki¹, M Iemitsu^1,2, M Kamioka², J Sugawara³, S Kuno², R Ajisaka², H Tanaka⁴

¹ Center for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
² Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba
³ Institute for Human Science and Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba
⁴ Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

Correspondence to:
Dr Maeda
Center for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan; smaeda{at}tara.tsukuba.ac.jp

Background: Little information is available on the effect of strength training on vascular function, particularly in older people.

Objective: To determine the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in older adults.

Method: Eleven healthy men (mean (SEM) age 64 (1) years) performed 12 weeks of resistance training involving knee flexion and extension (three sets a day, two days a week).

Results: Resistance training increased maximal muscle power by 16% (p<0.0001). Arterial stiffness as assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity did not change with resistance training. Plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO), measured as its stable end product (nitrite/nitrate), had increased (p<0.05) after resistance training (61.2 (10.4) v 39.6 (3.2) µmol/l). There was no change in plasma concentration of endothelin-1.

Conclusion: The results suggest that short term resistance training may increase NO production without stiffening central arteries in healthy older men.

Abbreviations: Nox, nitrite/nitrate; PWV, pulse wave velocity

Keywords: strength training; arterial stiffness; endothelial function; nitric oxide

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