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Effects of Exercise on Hypertension pp 137–156Cite as

Resistance Exercise and Adaptation in Vascular Structure and Function

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Part of the book series: Molecular and Translational Medicine ((MOLEMED))

Abstract

Resistance exercise training has historically been prescribed for skeletal muscle conditioning. However, in recent years, there has been increased interest in its effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. Resistance training is now included in the physical activity recommendations for health benefit and is a core component of exercise prescription for many chronic conditions, including hypertension because a blood pressure lowering effect has been identified. This Chapter reviews the effects of resistance training on vascular structure and function, both in isolation and in combination with aerobic exercise, i.e., concurrent exercise. First, we describe the different hemodynamic responses elicited by an acute bout of resistance exercise compared with aerobic exercise. Second, we review the effects of resistance exercise on structural and functional characteristics of the vasculature. In addition, the effects of resistance exercise training are described for healthy individuals and patients with established chronic conditions including hypertension and cardiovascular disease in whom impaired vascular function is present a priori.

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Abbreviations

1-RM:

One repetition maximum

ACh:

Acetylcholine

BP:

Blood pressure

CHF:

Chronic heart failure

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

FITT:

Frequency, intensity, time, and type principle of exercise prescription

FMD:

Flow mediated dilation

HR:

Heart rate

IMT:

Intimal medial thickness

MVC:

Maximum voluntary contraction

NO:

Nitric oxide

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia

    Andrew Maiorana

  2. Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Service, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia

    Andrew Maiorana

  3. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Dick H. J. Thijssen & Daniel J. Green

  4. Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Dick H. J. Thijssen

  5. School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Daniel J. Green

Authors
  1. Andrew Maiorana
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  2. Dick H. J. Thijssen
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  3. Daniel J. Green
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Maiorana .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut Department of Kinesiology &, Storrs, Connecticut, USA

    Linda S. Pescatello

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Maiorana, A., Thijssen, D.H.J., Green, D.J. (2015). Resistance Exercise and Adaptation in Vascular Structure and Function. In: Pescatello, L. (eds) Effects of Exercise on Hypertension. Molecular and Translational Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17076-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17076-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17075-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17076-3

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