Abstract

The effect of resistance exercises on peripheral circulation is poorly documented. Reports about the impact of such exercises on the vascular endothelium are conflicting. Similar controversy surrounds the response of systemic and cutaneous microcirculation to resistance training. A study was therefore conducted to assess the impact of 8-week isometric training of forearm muscle on cutaneous microcirculation. Eight weeks of isometric training was applied to 34 healthy men. Cutaneous microcirculation was measured using a Perifluks 4001 (Perimed) laser Doppler flowmeter. Laser Doppler flowmeter signal frequency within the 0.01-2 Hz range was also analyzed during basal flow. After 8 weeks of isometric exercises to forearm and hand, forearm circumference increased from 27.6±1.23 to 28.31±1.33 cm (p=0.02). Resting flow improved from 10.29±2.36 PU before the training to 13.04±1.16 PU after the training (p=0.0000). The remaining cutaneous microcirculation parameters examined in the study did not change significantly after the resistance training period.8-week isometric exercises of the non-dominant forearm and hand improved the resting perfusion of cutaneous microcirculation. The resistance training did not influence the capacity and efficiency of the cutaneous vascular bed in the study group, which may indicate lack of a cardioprotective effect of local isometric exercises.

Key words:

isometric training, cutaneous microcirculation, laser Doppler flowmetry