Strength Training Does Not Affect Vagal-cardiac Control or Cardiovagal Baroreflex Sensitivity in Young Healthy Subjects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that high-intensity strength training increases vagal cardiac control and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Twenty-two subjects [age 22 (0.8) years] were assigned to either strength training (ST, n =12) or control (CON, n =10) groups. Subjects in the ST group trained each major muscle group 3 days per week for 8 weeks with three sets of 10 repetitions and 2-min rest periods. Resistance was increased progressively when possible. Subjects in the CON group were active recreationally but did not lift weights. Before and after training, resting arterial pressure was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer, and ECG, respiratory rate, and finger photoplethysmographic arterial pressures were recorded with subjects supine and breathing at a set rate (0.25 Hz) for 5 min. Data were analyzed in both time and frequency domains. Arterial baroreflex sensitivity was estimated with the sequence method and cross-spectral transfer function analysis of systolic pressures and R-R intervals. Training increased whole-body muscular strength and decreased arterial blood pressure at rest (the exercise and pressure data have been published elsewhere). R-R intervals and standard deviations, and R-R interval spectral power at the respiratory frequency were unaffected by training. Similarly, training did not affect respiratory or low-frequency systolic pressure spectral power or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Although evidence sup- ports beneficial cardiovascular adaptations to resistance training, our results demonstrate that resistance training does not affect vagal cardiac control or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity in young healthy subjects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA628094

Entities

People

  • Jason R Carter
  • William H. Cooke

Organizations

  • United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Control Systems
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Domain
  • Heart Diseases
  • Heart Rate
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nervous System
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity
  • Training
  • Transfer Functions

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Exercise and Sports Science.