High- and Varied-Intensity Resistance Training Increased Muscle Strength without Affecting Vascular Parameters in Recreational University Athletes

There was a lack of literature on the effect of high-intensity resistance training on the ankle-brachial index (ABI). This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity and varied-intensity resistance training on vascular parameters: ABI, brachial systolic blood pressure (bSBP), and ankle systolic blood pressure (aSBP), as well as muscle strength in recreational university athletes. Eighteen athletic participants (age: 21.1 ± 0.5 years, body weight: 68.8 ± 11.3 kg, height: 174.1 ± 5.3 cm) were randomly assigned to one of two different training programs: the high-intensity resistance training (HIRT, n = 10) and the varied-intensity resistance training (VIRT, n = 8). Pre-testing and post-testing included maximum strength ratio (MSR) testing of knee extension and preacher curl, ABI, bSBP, and aSBP measurements. A two-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare between groups and time effects. The results demonstrated that both groups significantly increased MSR for both preacher curl (∆30.4%, CI95% = 0.10 – 0.17 kg/kg-bw and ∆19.3%, CI95% = 0.05 – 0.17 kg/kg-bw in HIRT and VIRT, respectively, all <img src=image/19940743_01.gif><0.001) and knee extension (∆18.9%, CI95% = 0.12 – 0.24 kg/kg-bw and ∆25%, CI95% = 0.13 – 0.40 kg/kg-bw in HIRT and VIRT, respectively, all <img src=image/19940743_01.gif><0.001). Despite similar strength gains, OMNI-RES scores were significantly lower in the VIRT group after the first and second weeks (<img src=image/19940743_01.gif><0.05). Moreover, no significant change was observed after training for ABI, bSBP, and aSBP in both groups (all <img src=image/19940743_01.gif>>0.05). In conclusion, both HIRT and VIRT did not significantly affect ABI, bSBP, and aSBP in recreational university athletes but significantly improved muscular strength. Interestingly, VIRT induced lower perceived effort during the initial training sessions.