Effects of an 11-Week High Functional Resistance Training Program on Indices of Arterial Stiffness

Arterial stiffness is a systemic loss of elastic properties that significantly augment cardiovascular disease risk in adults. Chronic aerobic and anaerobic exercise activity has consistently been shown to attenuate or not affect markers of arterial stiffness in adults with chronic disease and otherwise healthy adults. Chronic high functional resistance training's effect on vascular compliance is less understood. The study aimed to determine the impact of a chronic high functional resistance training program on pulse wave velocity and beta-stiffness index. Accordingly, participants (18-40 years old) were placed in a non-randomized fashion into high functional resistance training (HIB) group (n = 9; >6 months of CrossFit experience; 4 female) or control (CON) group (n = 8; < 6 months of exercise experience; 6 female). Participants in the HIB group trained at the same local facility 4 -5 days a week, utilizing the same training program. CON group refrained from exercise during the study period. Body composition, 1,000-meter rowing test, deadlift 1 repetition maximum (1 RM), hemodynamic assessments, and vascular compliance were assessed at baseline and follow-up.