The Effects Of A 4-Week Resistance Training Intervention On Cardiovascular And Autonomic Function In Young Women

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease is growing in prevalence, and the cardiovascular and autonomic protective properties of estrogen in women are no longer keeping up with the lifestyle habits and risk factors increasing this disease risk. While aerobic training has been shown to promote increased cardiovascular health and autonomic function, little is known about the effects of resistance training. METHODS: Nine women were recruited to participate in a 4-week strength-based resistance training intervention following a 4-week wait period. Subjects arrived to the lab for baseline measurements of anthropometrics, body composition, cardiovascular function, and autonomic function. Subjects were asked to attend baseline measurements, familiarization, and maximal effort strength test pre-wait period, post-wait period/pre-intervention, and post-intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in strength gains for squat, bench, and deadlift, pre- to post-intervention (p=0.000, p=0.002, and p=0.000, respectively). There was a significant increase in resting heart rate pre- to post-intervention (p=0.017). A significant decrease was observed in both baroreceptor sensitivity and total peripheral resistance pre- to post-intervention (p=0.018 and p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Four weeks of a strength-based resistance training intervention promoted strength gains in young women without eliciting deleterious effects in cardiovascular and autonomic function.