The Acute Effects of Various Intensity and Repetition of Resistance Exercise on Vascular Function in Older Adults: A Randomized CrossOver Design Study

Abstract

Sarikavanich K, Mitranun W, Paditsaeree K. The Acute Effects of Various Intensity and Repetition of Resistance Exercise on Vascular Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Crossover Design Study. JEPonline 2024;27(1):1–9. The purpose of the study was to investigate the acute effects of resistance exercises with different loads and repetitions on vascular function in adults who were 60 to 69 years of age. This acute effect study included 15 participants who performed three conditions of resistance exercise: (a) high intensity and low repetition (HL); (b) moderate intensity and moderate repetition (MM); and (c) low intensity and high repetition (LH). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at 0, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after exercise. The results showed that LH immediately increased FMD at 0, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after exercise compared to the baseline. Additionally, a decrease in systolic blood pressure after the intervention was observed only in the LH condition, with no significant changes in HL and MM conditions. In summary, the acute effects of low-intensity and high-repetition resistance exercise improved vascular function and lowered blood pressure among older adults.