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Time course of improved flow-mediated dilation after short-term exercise training
Jason D Allen1, James P Geaghan, Frank Greenway
1Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|May 17, 2003
Summary
Short-term handgrip training improved brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) in the trained arm. These vascular function improvements occurred rapidly, within 4 days, and were localized to the trained limb.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) is a key indicator of endothelial function.
- Localized exercise interventions may offer targeted improvements in vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a unilateral, short-term handgrip training program on BAFMD.
- To analyze the temporal pattern of changes in BAFMD following training.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen healthy males performed unilateral handgrip training (60% maximal voluntary contraction) for 4 weeks.
- High-resolution ultrasound assessed brachial artery function before, during, and after the training period.
Main Results:
- BAFMD significantly increased (62-70%) in the trained arm compared to the untrained arm.
- Improvements in BAFMD were observed as early as the first week of training (4 days).
- No significant changes were noted in resting artery diameter, hemodynamics, or heart rate variability, suggesting local adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Localized, short-term handgrip exercise effectively enhances brachial artery endothelial function.
- The improvements in BAFMD are rapid and appear to be mediated locally within the trained limb.