Resistance-training experience and the pressor response during resistance exercise

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Sports Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular responses to resistance training vary among individuals.
• The impact of prior resistance-training experience on these responses is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how previous resistance-training experience influences cardiovascular responses during exercise.
• To compare the blood pressure and heart rate responses of bodybuilders, novice weight-trained individuals, and sedentary controls.

Main Methods:

• Intra-arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored in three groups: bodybuilders (BB), novice trainers (NT), and sedentary controls (SC).
• Participants performed one-arm overhead presses and one-leg knee extensions at maximal effort (1 RM) and varying percentages of 1 RM to fatigue.
• Cardiovascular responses, including peak blood pressure and heart rate, were measured and compared across groups.

Main Results:

• Bodybuilders exhibited significantly lower peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses compared to novice and sedentary groups.
• Bodybuilders also showed a reduced magnitude of blood pressure response during both exercises.
• Peak heart rate and its magnitude of response were significantly lower in bodybuilders during arm presses, and peak heart rate was lower during knee extensions.

Conclusions:

• Previous extensive resistance-training experience attenuates the pressor response to dynamic resistance exercises.
• This suggests an adaptation in the cardiovascular system with long-term weight training.
• Resistance training experience may lead to improved cardiovascular regulation during exercise.