Intensity-dependent cardiopulmonary response during and after strength training

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 6632
• Main Authors: Lässing, Johannes, Maudrich, Tom, Kenville, Rouven, Uyar, Zarah, Bischoff, Christian, Fikenzer, Sven, Busse, Martin, Falz, Roberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 24.04.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/443/1338; 631/443/1784; 631/443/592; Adult; Blood pressure; Cross-Over Studies; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Test; Heart rate; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Hypertension; Male; multidisciplinary; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Oxygen uptake; Physical training; Resistance Training; Respiration; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sports training; Strength training; Training; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33873-x

Whereas cardiopulmonary responses are well understood in endurance training, they are rarely described in strength training. This cross-over study examined acute cardiopulmonary responses in strength training. Fourteen healthy male strength training-experienced participants (age 24.5 ± 2.9 years; BMI 24.1 ± 2.0 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned into three strength training sessions (three sets of ten repetitions) with different intensities (50%, 62,5%, and 75% of the 3-Repetition Maximum) of squats in a smith machine. Cardiopulmonary (impedance cardiography, ergo-spirometry) responses were continuously monitored. During exercise period, heart rate (HR 143 ± 16 vs. 132 ± 15 vs. 129 ± 18 bpm, respectively; p < 0.01; η 2 p 0.54) and cardiac output (CO: 16.7 ± 3.7 vs. 14.3 ± 2.5 vs. 13.6 ± 2.4 l/min, respectively; p < 0.01; η 2 p 0.56) were higher at 75% of 3-RM compared to those at the other intensities. We noted similar stroke volume (SV: p = 0.08; η 2 p 0.18) and end-diastolic volume (EDV: p = 0.49). Ventilation (V E ) was higher at 75% compared to 62.5% and 50% (44.0 ± 8.0 vs. 39.6 ± 10.4 vs. 37.6 ± 7.7 l/min, respectively; p < 0.01; η 2 p 0.56). Respiration rate (RR; p = .16; η 2 p 0.13), tidal volume (VT: p = 0.41; η 2 p 0.07) and oxygen uptake (VO 2 : p = 0.11; η 2 p 0.16) did not differ between intensities. High systolic and diastolic blood pressure were evident (62.5% 3-RM 197 ± 22.4/108.8 ± 13.4 mmHG). During the post-exercise period (60 s), SV, CO, V E , VO 2, and VCO 2 were higher (p < 0.01) than during the exercise period, and the pulmonary parameters differed markedly between intensities (V E p < 0.01; RR p < 0.01; VT p = 0.02; VO 2 p < 0.01; VCO 2 p < 0.01). Despite the differences in strength training intensity, the cardiopulmonary response reveals significant differences predominantly during the post-exercise period. Intensity-induced breath holding induces high blood pressure peaks and cardiopulmonary recovery effects after exercise.