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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Effects of leg resistance training on arterial function in older men
1Center for Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan. smaeda@tara.tsukuba.ac.jp
Background:
Little information is available on the effect of strength training on vascular function, particularly in older people.
Objective:
To determine the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in older adults.
Method:
Eleven healthy men (mean (SEM) age 64 (1) years) performed 12 weeks of resistance training involving knee flexion and extension (three sets a day, two days a week).
Results:
Resistance training increased maximal muscle power by 16% (p<0.0001). Arterial stiffness as assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity did not change with resistance training. Plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO), measured as its stable end product (nitrite/nitrate), had increased (p<0.05) after resistance training (61.2 (10.4) v 39.6 (3.2) micromol/l). There was no change in plasma concentration of endothelin-1.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that short term resistance training may increase NO production without stiffening central arteries in healthy older men.
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