Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) and combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on arterial stiffness in male college students. Methods: Thirty-six males (20.22 ± 2.47 years) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to either RT group (n = 12), CART group (n = 12), or sedentary control (SC) group (n = 12). The RT and CART groups performed RT three times a week for 12 weeks, and the CART group performed a cycle exercise at 70-80% of the maximal heart rate for 30 min immediately after each RT session. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures on one factor (Time) were used to examine training effects. For those with interactions, the main effect will be used to further analyze the treatment effect under different conditions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness index (ASI) and other CVD risk factors. Results: (1) Both RT and CART groups significantly increased 1RM values on all trained muscle groups, (2) no significant changes in ASI, blood lipid profiles, blood pressure or body composition were observed in the experimental groups, and (3) ASI was negatively correlated to diastolic blood pressure (DBP; r = -0.382, p < .05) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; r = -0.334, p < .05); no correlations among ASI and other cardiovascular disease risk factors were found. Conclusions: The 12 weeks of RT and CART does not alter arterial stiffness, suggesting that RT when performed in accordance with American College of Sports Medicine guidelines does not have deteriorate effects on arterial function. DBP and MAP were important determinants of ASI in healthy male college students.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) and combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on arterial stiffness in male college students. Methods: Thirty-six males (20.22 ± 2.47 years) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to either RT group (n = 12), CART group (n = 12), or sedentary control (SC) group (n = 12). The RT and CART groups performed RT three times a week for 12 weeks, and the CART group performed a cycle exercise at 70-80% of the maximal heart rate for 30 min immediately after each RT session. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures on one factor (Time) were used to examine training effects. For those with interactions, the main effect will be used to further analyze the treatment effect under different conditions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness index (ASI) and other CVD risk factors. Results: (1) Both RT and CART groups significantly increased 1RM values on all trained muscle groups, (2) no significant changes in ASI, blood lipid profiles, blood pressure or body composition were observed in the experimental groups, and (3) ASI was negatively correlated to diastolic blood pressure (DBP; r = -0.382, p < .05) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; r = -0.334, p < .05); no correlations among ASI and other cardiovascular disease risk factors were found. Conclusions: The 12 weeks of RT and CART does not alter arterial stiffness, suggesting that RT when performed in accordance with American College of Sports Medicine guidelines does not have deteriorate effects on arterial function. DBP and MAP were important determinants of ASI in healthy male college students.