Effect of 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness: a randomised controlled trial in women aged 32-59 years

Background: Resistance training has been increasingly incorporated into the overall exercise programme because of its effect on muscle strength, functional capacity and osteoporosis. High-intensity resistance training increases arterial stiffness. However, the effect of moderate-intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness is unknown. Objective: To determine whether 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training increases arterial stiffness in middle-aged women. Methods: 35 middle-aged women (age range 32 to 59 years) volunteered to participate. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: resistance training (RT) group, aerobic exercise training (AET) group or control group. The RT and AET groups performed 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training or aerobic exercise training (two days/week). Results: In the RT group, one-repetition maximum strength significantly increased after the intervention. Interestingly, aortic (carotid-femoral) pulse wave velocity (PWV; an index of arterial stiffness), and peripheral (femoral-ankle) PWV did not change with moderate-intensity resistance training. In contrast, in the AET group, carotid-femoral PWV significantly decreased after the intervention. Resistance training and aerobic exercise training did not affect blood pressure. Conclusions: This study found that moderate-intensity resistance training did not increase arterial stiffness in middle-aged women, which may have great importance for health promotion with resistance training.