Training Status and Valsalva Maneuver Effects on Cerebrovascular Regulation during Acute Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Background. Repeated exposure to large transient oscillations in mean arterial pressure (MAP)during resistance exercise may induce vascular adaptations and alter cerebrovascular regulation during systemic pressure challenges. This study characterized resting vascular and cerebrovascular function, the cerebral pressure-flow relationship during forced blood pressure oscillations, and cerebrovascular responses to leg press exercise with and without the Valsalva maneuver (VM) in resistance-trained and untrained individuals. Hypotheses. We hypothesized that resistance-trained individuals would exhibit higher arterial stiffness and similar cerebrovascular function at rest but improved cerebrovascular regulation during systemic pressure challenges. Methods. Forty-four healthy young adults [23 resistance-trained (12M,11F), 21 untrained (9M,12F)] completed two visits: (1) resting vascular and cerebrovascular assessment and quantification of the cerebral pressure-flow relationship via forced blood pressure oscillations; (2) assessment of systemic and cerebral hemodynamic responses during RE at 50%, 75%, and 90% 1RM. At 90% 1RM, participants performed leg press under coached breathing and VM conditions in a randomized order. Results. No group differences were observed in resting cerebral hemodynamics, common carotid artery stiffness metrics, or cerebral pressure-flow relationship related responses. However, training effects were found for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (p=0.002; ηp²=0.23; untrained>trained), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.003; ηp²=0.24; untrained>trained), pulse pressure (p=0.004; ηp²=0.27; untrained<trained), stroke volume (p=0.003; ηp²=0.26; untrained<trained), and heart rate (p=0.02; ηp²=0.16; untrained>trained). Despite higher MAP Peak in trained individuals (p=0.03; ηp²=0.19), cerebrovascular responses were similar or attenuated compared with untrained individuals. VM strain did not differ between groups, but VM use increased MAP Peak (p=0.04; ηp²=0.05) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (p=0.005; ηp²=0.09), and reduced heart rate (p=0.03; ηp²=0.06). Conclusions. Habitual resistance training and breathing strategy both influence cerebrovascular responses, potentially helping preserve cerebral perfusion during systemic pressure challenges.