Abstract
Background: Emerging evidence suggests a role for resistin in inflammation and vascular dysfunction, which may con-tribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension, but the association between resistin levels and incident hypertension is unknown. The strength exercise can be used to prevent the degenerative processes and inflammation associated with ageing.
Aim of Study: To Investigate the effect of strength exercises on serum resistin levels of post-menopausal women.
Subjects and Methods: Twenty three sedentary post-menopausal women conduct in this study. The strength exer-cises lasted 12 months and consisted of two week sessions with three sets of 8-12 maximum repetitions and one exercise for each main muscle group. Maximum muscular strength was tested in the following exercises: Bench press, 45º leg press, and standing elbow extension. Serum resistin level was determined using the ELISA method. ANOVA (with repeated measures) was used for the comparisons between periods pre, 6 months and 12 months (p<0.05); Pearson's correlation test was used to evaluate the correlations between resistin X blood pressure, resistin X muscle strength and strength X blood pressure.
Results: Women presented the following anthropometric profile: 61.33±3.8 years; height 148.5±32.7cm; body weight 67.56±10.85kg. The Strength exercise decreased resistin levels (30272.4±8100.1 to 16350.6±2404.6pg./mL) and systolic blood pressure (120.5±11.8 to 1 15.8±1 .6mmHg), and increased muscular strength in the leg press 45º (172.3±27.3 to 348.6± 40.8kg), bench press (31.9±4.1 to 41.8±5.6kg) and arm curl (21.0±2.4 to 26.5±2.9kg) after 12 months (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Long-term strength exercises increases max-imum muscular strength, decreases systolic blood pressure and serum resistin levels, which are beneficial physiological alterations that reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases in post-menopausal women.