Vascular and Neuro-Inflammatory Modulation Following Resistance Training in Young African American and White Men

African American men have a higher incidence of hypertension and associated co-morbidities. Altered vascular and autonomic function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in this population. We sought to examine the effect of resistance exercise training on vascular and autonomic function in young African American and white men. Several non-invasive methods were used to assess macrovascular structure, macrovascular/microvascular function, limb blood blow, central and peripheral blood pressure, and cardiac autonomic modulation. Multiple methodologies were employed in order to provide a comprehensive examination of vascular and autonomic physiology. Resistance training improved vagal tone, reduced C-reactive protein, reduced central (i.e. aortic and carotid) blood pressure and improved microvacular endothelial function in both African American and white men. Resistance training had no effect on arterial stiffness or wave reflection. This occurred with no change in brachial blood pressure, body fat, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood lipid levels or fasting glucose. In conclusion, resistance training improves vascular and autonomic function while reducing inflammation in African American men. Thus, this exercise modality may be a useful lifestyle intervention for abrogating cardiovascular risk in this high-risk population.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Heffernan, Kevin Scott

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fernhall, Bo

• Black Studies

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3337787

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86401