Abstract
The age-related decline in basal limb blood flow appears to be related to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Resistance training improves basal limb blood flow and vascular conductance in middle-aged men and women, but it is unknown whether similar vascular effects of training occur in the elderly. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week progressive resistance training program using elastic bands on basal leg blood flow, vascular conductance, and functional performance in postmenopausal elderly women. Sixteen health postmenopausal females (age, 67 ± 5 years) were randomly assigned to a control (n = 8) or resistance training (n = 8) group, where they underwent 2 supervised strength sessions per week for 12 weeks. Prior to and at completion of this 12-week period, functional and strength performance and leg haemodynamic responses were measure. The training intervention produced significant increases in basal leg blood flow (31%), vascular conductance (34%), and a significant reduction in cardiac work (i.e., rate pressure product) at rest, as well as significant improvements in the 3 functional ability tests performed (30-s bicep curl, 30-s sit to stand, and back scratch). Haemodynamic or functional performance responses were not altered after the 12 weeks in the control group. This study demonstrates that a resistance training program using elastic bands elicits significant improvements in basal leg blood flow in postmenopausal elderly women.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 763-772 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- blood flow
- leg
- menopause
- women