Resistance-training experience and the pressor response during resistance exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects previous resistance-training experience has on the cardiovascular responses to resistance-training exercises. To investigate this, the intra-arterial blood pressure response of four body builders (BB), six novice weight-trained individuals (NT), and six sedentary controls (SC) were monitored during performance of one-arm overhead presses and one-leg knee extensions. One repetition at the maximal weight possible (1 RM) and sets to voluntary fatigue at 90, 80, 70, and 50% of 1 RM were performed. Across groups, the BB demonstrated a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower peak and a lesser magnitude of response (changes from rest to peak) for systolic and diastolic blood pressures than the the NT and SC groups during both exercises. The BB also demonstrated significantly lower values across groups for peak heart rate and magnitude of heart rate response during arm presses. During knee extensions across groups, peak heart rate but not magnitude of the heart rate response was significantly lower in the BB. The results indicate that previous weight-training experience reduces the pressor response to dynamic resistance exercises.