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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 290/4/H1596    most recent 01054.2005v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cook, J. N. Articles by Tanaka, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cook, J. N. Articles by Tanaka, H.

Arterial compliance of rowers: implications for combined aerobic and strength training on arterial elasticity

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; and Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin

Submitted 5 October 2005 ; accepted in final form 8 November 2005

Regular endurance exercise increases central arterial compliance, whereas resistance training decreases it. It is not known how the vasculature adapts to a combination of endurance and resistance training. Rowing is unique, because its training encompasses endurance- and strength-training components. We used a cross-sectional study design to determine arterial compliance of 15 healthy, habitual rowers [50 ± 9 (SD) yr, 11 men and 4 women] and 15 sedentary controls (52 ± 8 yr, 10 men and 5 women). Rowers had been training 5.4 ± 1.2 days/wk for 5.7 ± 4.0 yr. The two groups were matched for age, body composition, blood pressure, and metabolic risk factors. Central arterial compliance (simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry on the common carotid artery) was higher (P < 0.001) and carotid -stiffness index was lower (P < 0.001) in rowers than in sedentary controls. There were no group differences for measures of peripheral (femoral) arterial stiffness. The higher central arterial compliance in rowers was associated with a greater cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity, as estimated during a Valsalva maneuver (r = 0.54, P < 0.005). In conclusion, regular rowing exercise in middle-aged and older adults is associated with a favorable effect on the elastic properties of the central arteries. Our results suggest that simultaneously performed endurance training may negate the stiffening effects of strength training.

rowing; arterial stiffness; cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity

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