Effects of Leg Resistance Training on Arterial Function in Older Men

Seiji Maeda ^1*, Takeshi Otsuki ¹, Motoyuki Iemitsu ¹, Masashi Kamioka ¹, Jun Sugawara ², Shinya Kuno ¹, Ryuichi Ajisaka ¹ and Hirofumi Tanaka ³

¹ University of Tsukuba, Japan
² National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Japan
³ University of Texas at Austin, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: smaeda{at}tara.tsukuba.ac.jp.

Accepted 17 July 2006

Abstract

Aims: Little information is available on the effect of strength training on vascular function, particularly in older humans. We determined the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in older adults.

Methods/Results: Eleven healthy men (64±1 yr) performed 12 weeks of resistance training involving knee flexion and extension (3 sets/day, 2 days/week). Resistance training increased maximal muscle power 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 the stable end-product of NO, i.e., nitrite/nitrate, increased (P<0.05) after resistance training (39.6±3.2 and 61.2±10.4 µmol/l before and after training). There was no change in plasma concentration of endothelin-1.

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

Key Words: arterial stiffness, endothelial function, nitric oxide, strength training

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