Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the hemodynamic, autonomic, and metabolic responses during resistance and dynamic exercise before and after an 8-week resistance training program using a low-intensity (30% of 1 repetitium maximum), high-repetition (3 sets of 20 repetitions) model, added to an aerobic training program, in a coronary artery disease cohort.
Design: Twenty male subjects with coronary artery disease (61.1 ± 4.7 years) were randomly assigned to a combined training group (resistance + aerobic) or aerobic training group (AG). Heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, minute ventilation, blood lactate, and parasympathetic modulation indices of heart rate (square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals [RMSSD] and dispersion of points perpendicular to the line of identity that provides information about the instantaneous beat-to-beat variability [SD1]) were obtained before and after an 8-week RT program while performing exercise on a cycle ergometer and a 45-degree leg press.
Results: Resistance training resulted in an increase in maximal and submaximal load tolerance (P < 0.01), a decreased hemodynamic response (P < 0.01), and a reduction in blood lactate in the combined training group compared to the aerobic training group during the 45-degree leg press. During exercise on a cycle ergometer, there was a decreased hemodynamic response and increased minute ventilation (P < 0.01). The 8-week RT program resulted in greater parasympathetic tone (RMSSD and SD1) and an increase in the SDNN index during exercise on a cycle ergometer and 45-degree leg press (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: An 8-week resistance training program associated with aerobic training may attenuate hemodynamic stress, and modify metabolic and autonomic responses during resistance exercise. The training program also appeared to elicit beneficial cardiovascular and autonomic effects during exercise.