Higher central arterial wall viscosity and stiffness in resistance-trained young men

Resistance training reduces arterial compliance. Although cardiac pulsatile energy is distributed between arterial compliance and arterial wall viscosity, arterial wall viscosity in resistance-trained men remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether resistance-trained men exhibit increased arterial wall viscosity. This cross-sectional study included 28 young men (18-25 years), with 12 resistance-trained men and 16 non-trained sedentary controls. We measured arterial wall viscosity, arterial compliance, carotid and brachial blood pressures, peak oxygen uptake, and left ventricular mass and functions. Resistance-trained men had higher arterial wall viscosity (3064 ± 1208 vs. 1993 ± 831 mmHg·s/mm: p = 0.010) and lower compliance (0.093 ± 0.029 vs. 0.153 ± 0.054 mm²/mmHg: p = 0.003) than controls, with an elevated beta-stiffness index (7.90 ± 2.80 vs. 5.86 ± 1.26 AU: p = 0.015). Intima-media thickness and brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures, peak oxygen uptake, and stroke volume did not differ between groups, although there were significantly higher carotid systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in resistance-trained men compared to controls. Resistance-trained men showed concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. The present study indicated that central arterial wall viscosity is higher and arterial compliance is lower in resistance-trained men.