Effect of Resistance Training on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of resistance training on arterial stiffness (AS) in healthy subjects. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Scielo) were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of dynamic and/or isometric resistance training stand-alone versus non-exercise control group on AS assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) in healthy subjects. Random-effects modeling was employed to compare delta changes (post-pre-intervention) in AS between the resistance training and control group. Data were reported as weighted mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at 5%. RECENT FINDINGS: A total of 10 studies involving 310 participants (46.5% female; resistance training groups, n = 194; control groups, n = 116) were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing changes from pre- to post-resistance training groups versus control groups, no differences were observed in PWV (MD - 1.33 cm/s (95% CI - 34.58 to 31.91), p = 0.94, I2 = 91%). Resistance training stand-alone does not elicit changes (i.e., improvement or impairment) on AS in healthy subjects, but the high heterogeneity suggests influence of training protocol and/or personal characteristics that should be investigated in the future.