Abstract

DE ARAUJO TINOCO-CABRAL, Carlos Ernani et al. Muscular strength training does not increase human adults' arterial stiffness or improve body toning. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.4, pp.651-663. ISSN 0124-0064.

Object Determining the influence of three weekly strength training (ST) sessions, over a ten-week period, on arterial stiffness (AS) and taking the associated anthropometric measurements. Methods This was a before-and-after intervention trial, involving a sample of 17 individuals. Participants were adults from both genders aged 18 and 40 years-old who had been sedentary for at least three months previously. Anthropometric measurements were taken, together with pulse wave velocity (PWV) before and immediately after the experimental sessions. Results Independent variables (age and gender) were considered for determining their influence on final PWV and anthropometric measurements. Comparing initial PWV (mean=9.00) with final PWV (mean=9.00) for subjects involved in the proposed ST revealed no significant difference between them (p=0.469). Regarding anthropometric measurement, individuals' body fat (p<0.001) and body fat mass percentages (p<0.001) became significantly reduced, accompanied by an increase in lean mass (p<0.001). However, no changes were recorded regarding waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p= 0.777), body mass (p=0.226) or body mass index (BMI) (p =0.212). Conclusion This study's findings suggested that the proposed ST did not increase AS. Devotees of such type of training may therefore safely enjoy all its benefits without risk to the cardiovascular system. Further controlled and randomized research is needed to confirm these results.

Keywords : Vascular stiffness; muscle strength; anthropometry.

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