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Central arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and heart rate variability following 4-week high-intensity resistance training intervention in young active women

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Arterial stiffness, expedited wave reflection, and autonomic dysfunction are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Evaluation of the effects of resistance training on these factors has been inconclusive, and even less is known about the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT). This study evaluated the effects of a 4-week HIRT intervention on central arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and heart rate variability in young healthy and active women.

Methods

9 women were recruited and underwent a 4-week control period followed by the intervention. Measurements were recorded pre-control, post-control/pre-intervention, and post-intervention.

Results

There were no significant changes to central arterial stiffness, wave reflection, or heart rate variability. There was a significant increase in resting heart rate (bpm: 62 ± 7, 66 ± 10; p = 0.003) and a significant decrease in baroreceptor sensitivity (30 ± 7, 21 ± 7; p = 0.018) pre- to post-intervention. There was a significant decrease in total peripheral resistance pre- to post-intervention (1.076 ± 0.281, 0.916 ± 0.250; p = 0.002). Squat, bench press, and deadlift increased pre- to post-intervention (kg: 62 ± 11, 71 ± 9, p = 0.000; 37 ± 7, 40 ± 7, p = 0.002; 76 ± 19, 84 ± 19, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

4 weeks of HIRT can supplement a healthy lifestyle in women by increasing strength while decreasing peripheral resistance and preserving arterial pressures. Further evaluation is necessary to investigate the observed increase in resting heart rate and decrease in baroreceptor sensitivity and to determine long-term effects of this training.

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Availability of data and material

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

SPSS software version 27 (SPSS Inc. Chicago IL, US).

Abbreviations

1RM:

1-Repetition maximum effort

Aix:

Augmentation index

AIx75:

Augmentation index normalized to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute

ANOVA:

Repeated measure one-way analysis of variance

BMD:

Bone mineral density

BMI:

Body mass index

DXA:

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

FFM:

Fat-free mass

FM:

Fat mass

GHR:

Glute-ham raise

HF:

High frequency

High-Pull:

Barbell high-pull

HIRT:

High-intensity resistance training

LF:

Low frequency

LF:HF:

Low frequency to high frequency ratio

PWV:

Pulse wave velocity

RDL:

Romanian deadlift

RMSSD:

Root mean square of successive R–R interval differences

TP:

Total power

VLF:

Very low frequency

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was provided by the Appalachian State University Office of Student Research. We would also like to acknowledge Mr. Nolasco Stevens Jr for his assistance during training procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health & Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, 1179 State Farm Road, Boone, NC, 28608, USA

    Sarean Harmoni A. Gaynor-Metzinger, N. Travis Triplett, Marco Meucci, Kimberly S. Fasczewski, Damon H. Flinchum & Scott R. Collier

Authors
  1. Sarean Harmoni A. Gaynor-Metzinger
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  2. N. Travis Triplett
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  3. Marco Meucci
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  4. Kimberly S. Fasczewski
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  5. Damon H. Flinchum
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  6. Scott R. Collier
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Contributions

SG, SC, TT, and DF conceived and designed the research study and resistance training protocol. SG and DF conducted an experiment and supervised intervention. MM and KF assisted with the functionality of standard operating procedures and revisions. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott R. Collier.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose relative to the results of this study. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data omission.

Ethics approval

This study was reviewed and approved by the Appalachian State Institutional Review Board and was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and later amendments.

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Communicated by Ellen Adele Dawson.

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Gaynor-Metzinger, S.H.A., Triplett, N.T., Meucci, M. et al. Central arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and heart rate variability following 4-week high-intensity resistance training intervention in young active women. Eur J Appl Physiol 122, 2283–2293 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05003-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05003-4

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