Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Effects of eccentric and concentric resistance training on arterial stiffness

Abstract

It has been suggested that resistance training (RT) increases arterial stiffness. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effect of eccentric RT (ERT) and concentric RT (CRT) on arterial stiffness in female adults by an interventional study. In total, 29 healthy female subjects were randomly assigned to either the ERT group (n=10), CRT group (n=10) or sedentary (SED) group (n=9). The ERT and CRT groups performed resistance training three times a week for 8 weeks. We determined brachial blood pressure, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), carotid artery intimamedial thickness (IMT) and carotid arterial lumen diameter before and after training and after detraining. The before-training baPWV did not differ significantly among the three groups. After 8 weeks of RT, arterial stiffness in the CRT group was increased compared with the ERT and SED group (P<0.05). However, brachial blood pressure, baPWV, carotid IMT and carotid lumen diameter in the ERT and CRT groups were unchanged by RT for 8 weeks. Consequently, it was clarified that arterial stiffness was not changed by ERT for 8 weeks. This suggests that ERT may be effective as an exercise prescription for middle-aged and elderly adults.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pollock ML, Franklin BA, Balady GJ, Chaitman BL, Fleg JL, Fletcher B et al. AHA Science Advisory. Resistance exercise in individuals with and without cardiovascular disease: benefits, rationale, safety, and prescription: An advisory from the Committee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention, Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association; Position paper endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine. Circulation 2000; 101: 828–833.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kerr D, Ackland T, Maslen B, Morton A, Prince R . Resistance training over 2 years increases bone mass in calcium-replete postmenopausal women. J Bone Miner Res 2001; 16: 175–181.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hejnova J, Majercik M, Polak J, Richterova B, Crampes F, deGlisezinski I et al. Effect of dynamic strength training on insulin sensitivity in men with insulin resistance. Cas Lek Cesk 2004; 143: 762–765.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Stewart KJ, Bacher AC, Turner KL, Fleg JL, Hees PS, Shapiro EP et al. Exercise and risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in older adults. Am J Prev Med 2005; 28: 9–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Fiatarone MA, Marks EC, Ryan ND, Meredith CN, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ . High-intensity strength training in nonagenarians. Effects on skeletal muscle. JAMA 1990; 263: 3029–3034.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hagerman FC, Walsh SJ, Staron RS, Hikida RS, Gilders RM, Murray TF et al. Effects of high-intensity resistance training on untrained older men. II. Muscle fiber characteristics and nucleo-cytoplasmic relationships. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000; 55: B336–346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bertovic DA, Waddell TK, Gatzka CD, Cameron JD, Dart AM, Kingwell BA . Muscular strength training is associated with low arterial compliance and high pulse pressure. Hypertension 1999; 33: 1385–1391.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Miyachi M, Kawano H, Sugawara J, Takahashi K, Hayashi K, Yamazaki K et al. Unfavorable effects of resistance training on central arterial compliance: a randomized intervention study. Circulation 2004; 110: 2858–2863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rakobowchuk M, McGowan CL, de Groot PC, Bruinsma D, Hartman JW, Phillips SM et al. Effect of whole body resistance training on arterial compliance in young men. Exp Physiol 2005; 90: 645–651.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Enoka RM . Eccentric contractions require unique activation strategies by the nervous system. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81: 2339–2346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kellis E, Baltzopoulos V . Isokinetic eccentric exercise. Sports Med 1995; 19: 202–222.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Higbie EJ, Cureton KJ, Warren III GL, Prior BM . Effects of concentric and eccentric training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and neural activation. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81: 2173–2181.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Thompson E, Versteegh TH, Overend TJ, Birmingham TB, Vandervoort AA . Cardiovascular responses to submaximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise in older adults. J Aging Phys Act 1999; 7: 20–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Overend TJ, Versteegh TH, Thompson E, Birmingham TB, Vandervoort AA . Cardiovascular stress associated with concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise in young and older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000; 55: B177–B182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Baechle TR, Earle RW . Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning 2ND Edition -US- Human Kinetics. Champaign: Illinois, USA, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Griffin JW . Differences in elbow flexion torque measured concentrically, eccentrically, and isometrically. Phys Ther 1987; 67: 1205–1208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nosaka K, Newton M . Repeated eccentric exercise bouts do not exacerbate muscle damage and repair. J Strength Cond Res 2002; 16: 117–122.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nosaka K, Newton M, Sacco P . Muscle damage and soreness after endurance exercise of the elbow flexors. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002; 34: 920–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Tomiyama H, Yamashina A, Arai T, Hirose K, Koji Y, Chikamori T et al. Influences of age and gender on results of noninvasive brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity measurement—a survey of 12517 subjects. Atherosclerosis 2003; 166: 303–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Yamashina A, Tomiyama H, Arai T, Koji Y, Yambe M, Motobe H et al. Nomogram of the relation of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with blood pressure. Hypertens Res 2003; 26: 801–806.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Folkow B, Svanborg A . Physiology of cardiovascular aging. Physiol Rev 1993; 73: 725–764.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. James MA, Watt PA, Potter JF, Thurston H, Swales JD . Pulse pressure and resistance artery structure in the elderly. Hypertension 1995; 26: 301–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Williams MR, Westerman RA, Kingwell BA, Paige J, Blombery PA, Sudhir K et al. Variations in endothelial function and arterial compliance during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86: 5389–5395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Weinberger MH, Fineberg NS, Fineberg SE . Effects of age, race, gender, blood pressure, and estrogen on arterial compliance. Am J Hypertens 2002; 15: 358–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Miura S, Tanaka E, Mori A, Toya M, Takahashi K, Nakahara K et al. Hormone replacement therapy improves arterial stiffness in normotensive postmenopausal women. Maturitas 2003; 45: 293–298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hortobagyi T, Barrier J, Beard D, Braspennincx J, Koens P, Devita P et al. Greater initial adaptations to submaximal muscle lengthening than maximal shortening. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81: 1677–1682.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Tanaka H, Dinenno FA, Monahan KD, Clevenger CM, DeSouza CA, Seals DR . Aging, habitual exercise, and dynamic arterial compliance. Circulation 2000; 102: 1270–1275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Franklin BA, Kahn JK . Delayed progression or regression of coronary atherosclerosis with intensive risk factor modification. Effects of diet, drugs, and exercise. Sports Med 1996; 22: 306–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Fletcher GF . The antiatherosclerotic effect of exercise and development of an exercise prescription. Cardiol Clin 1996; 14: 85–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Schell WD, Myers JN . Regression of atherosclerosis: a review. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 1997; 39: 483–496.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Horstmann T, Mayer F, Fischer J, Maschmann J, Rocker K, Dickhuth HH . The cardiocirculatory reaction to isokinetic exercises in dependence on the form of exercise and age. Int J Sports Med 1994; 15 (Suppl 1): S50–S55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Buck JA, Amundsen LR, Nielsen DH . Systolic blood pressure responses during isometric contractions of large and small muscle groups. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1980; 12: 145–147.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Lewis SF, Snell PG, Taylor WF, Hamra M, Graham RM, Pettinger WA et al. Role of muscle mass and mode of contraction in circulatory responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol 1985; 58: 146–151.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Komi PV, Linnamo V, Silventoinen P, Sillanpaa M . Force and EMG power spectrum during eccentric and concentric actions. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000; 32: 1757–1762.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Madeleine P, Bajaj P, Sogaard K, Arendt-Nielsen L . Mechanomyography and electromyography force relationships during concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2001; 11: 113–121.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Linnamo V, Strojnik V, Komi PV . EMG power spectrum and maximal M-wave during eccentric and concentric actions at different force levels. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg 2001; 26: 33–36.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Linnamo V, Moritani T, Nicol C, Komi PV . Motor unit activation patterns during isometric, concentric and eccentric actions at different force levels. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2003; 13: 93–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. London GM, Guerin AP . Influence of arterial pulse and reflected waves on blood pressure and cardiac function. Am Heart J 1999; 138: 220–224.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Pratley R, Nicklas B, Rubin M, Miller J, Smith A, Smith M et al. Strength training increases resting metabolic rate and norepinephrine levels in healthy 50- to 65-yr-old men. J Appl Physiol 1994; 76: 133–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Carrasco DI, Delp MD, Ray CA . Effect of concentric and eccentric muscle actions on muscle sympathetic nerve activity. J Appl Physiol 1999; 86: 558–563.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Saito M, Mano T, Abe H, Iwase S . Responses in muscle sympathetic nerve activity to sustained hand-grips of different tensions in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1986; 55: 493–498.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sinoway L, Prophet S, Gorman I, Mosher T, Shenberger J, Dolecki M et al. Muscle acidosis during static exercise is associated with calf vasoconstriction. J Appl Physiol 1989; 66: 429–436.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Shoemaker JK, Hodge L, Hughson RL . Cardiorespiratory kinetics and femoral artery blood velocity during dynamic knee extension exercise. J Appl Physiol 1994; 77: 2625–2632.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T Okamoto.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Okamoto, T., Masuhara, M. & Ikuta, K. Effects of eccentric and concentric resistance training on arterial stiffness. J Hum Hypertens 20, 348–354 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001979

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001979

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links