Effects of chronic anaerobic training on markers of sub-clinical atherosclerosis

Although several cardiovascular adaptations in response to different types of exercise are already known, data comparing the effects of the type of exercise training on early markers of atherosclerosis are limited.

Forty-nine tennis players, 28 weightlifters and 20 non-trained healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid and femoral arteries were measured in all volunteers for assessment of endothelial function and vascular remodelling, respectively.

Systolic blood pressure (BP) differed significantly among the three study groups (p=0.002) independently of age, body mass index (BMI), frequency, duration and intensity of exercise (p=0.033). FMD was significantly lower in weightlifters than tennis players (p=0.002), while mean carotid IMT was significantly higher in weightlifters as compared to tennis players (p=0.009) and the control group (p=0.003). Although the differences found in FMD were not independent of blood pressure and shear stress, mean carotid IMT remained significantly higher in weightlifters after adjustment for age, BMI and systolic BP, as well as the frequency, duration and intensity of exercise.

The anaerobic exercise involved in weightlifting correlated with worse endothelial function and increased IMT as compared to exercise in the form of tennis. The type of anaerobic exercise may be an important determinant of subclinical atherosclerosis, possibly explaining the elevated cardiovascular risk seen in athletes performing anaerobic training.