Pulse Wave Reflection Differs With Different Orders Of Resistance Exercise In Resistance-trained Young Women

Varying the orders of upper- and lower-body resistance exercise (RE) has been shown to induce different cardiovascular responses in active men. However, various orders of upper- and lower-body RE on pulse wave reflection in resistance-trained young women is unknown. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different orders of upper-and lower-body RE on pulse wave reflection in resistance-trained young women. METHODS: Twelve resistance-trained young women (22 ± 2 yrs) completed the study. Pulse wave reflection was assessed at rest, 10 (R1), and 20 (R2) minutes after either upper- and lower-body RE (UL) or lower- and upper-body RE (LU) for 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% 1-repetition maximum with 90-second and 2-minute rests between sets and exercises, respectively. The upper- and lower-body RE consisted of latissimus dorsi pulldown and incline chest press, and knee extension and knee flexion, respectively. RESULTS: Exercise volume between UL and LU was similar (p = 0.387). LU significantly (p < 0.05) elevated augmentation pressure (rest: 5.1 ± 2.7 mmHg; R1: 7.9 ± 4.7 mmHg; R2: 3.8 ± 3.6 mmHg) and augmentation index (AIx) (rest: 15.2 ± 7.6%; R1: 22.4 ± 11.5%; R2: 10.9 ± 10.2%) at R1 compared to rest and R2 while UL significantly (p < 0.05) reduced AP (rest: 5.6 ± 2.8 mmHg; R1: 5.3 ± 3.4 mmHg; R2: 1.9 ± 1.6 mmHg) and AIx (rest: 17.3 ± 7.8%; R1: 15.4 ± 8.3%; R2: 7.3 ± 5.9%) at R2 compared to rest and R1 with significantly higher AIx at R1 in LU compared to UL. AIx normalized at 75 bpm significantly (p < 0.05) increased (UL: rest: 8.7 ± 10.6%; R1: 19.2 ± 9.3%; R2: 10.2 ± 7.4%; LU: rest: 8.7 ± 8.7%; R1: 25.1 ± 12.2%; R2: 12.1 ± 10.6%) at R1 compared to rest and R2 in both UL and LU. Heart rate significantly (p < 0.05) augmented (UL: rest: 59 ± 7 bpm: R1: 82 ± 13 bpm; R2: 81 ± 11 bpm; LU: rest: 61 ± 8 bpm; R1: 80 ± 11 bpm; R2: 77 ± 9 bpm) at R1 and R2 compared to rest in both UL and LU. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that different RE orders have different effects on pulse wave reflection. In addition, LU significantly increased pulse wave reflection more than UL which increased workload to the cardiovascular system in resistance-trained young women. Performing UL, rather than LU may provide extra time to recover the cardiovascular system from upper-body RE.