Resistance, aerobic, and combination training on vascular function in overweight and obese adults

Abstract

The authors investigated the effects of moderate-intensity resistance, aerobic, or combined exercise on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in overweight and obese individuals compared with no exercise. Participants were randomized to 4 groups: control, aerobic, resistance, and combination. Assessments were made at baseline, week 8, and week 12. In participant-designated responders, those in the intervention groups who had improved levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) or augmentation index (AI), we observed a significant decrease of SBP in aerobic (-4%, P=.027), resistance (-5.1%, P=.04), and combination groups (-6.3%, P=.000) at week 8 and in the combination group (-6.3%, P=.005) at week 12, compared with baseline. AI was significantly lower at week 12 in the aerobic (-12%, P=.047), resistance (-9.5%, P=.036), and combination (-12.7%, P=.003) groups compared with baseline, as well as in the combination group (-10.7%, P=.047) compared with the control group. We did not observe significant changes in SBP, DBP, or AI between the interventions when assessing the entire cohort, although there were significant improvements in a subgroup of responders. Thus, some but not all overweight and obese individuals can improve blood pressure and arterial stiffness by participating in regular combination exercise, decreasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1

Participant flow diagram. SBP indicates systolic blood pressure; AI, augmentation index.

Figure 2

Changes of responders for systolic blood pressure (SBP). SBP was measured in the fasted state at baseline, week 8, and week 12 (control, n=15; aerobic, n=10; resistance, n=11; combination, n=13). Values are mean±standard error of the mean. Statistically significant difference from baseline indicated by *P<.05. Different letters above bar graphs indicate significant difference between groups at P<.05.

Figure 3

Changes of responders for central augmentation index (AI). AI was measured in the fasted state at baseline, week 8, and week‐12 (control, n=16. aerobic, n=8; resistance, n=11; combination, n=14). Values are mean±standard error of the mean. Statistically significant difference from baseline indicated by *P<.05. Different letters above bar graphs indicate significant difference between groups at P<.05.