Resistance training-induced decreases in central arterial compliance is associated with increases in serum thromboxane B₂ concentrations in young men

Background: Reduction in central arterial compliance is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and is caused by high-intensity resistance training. The thromboxane has both potent vasoconstrictive and platelet aggregation effects, and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, whether thromboxane is involved in resistance training-induced decrease in central arterial compliance is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate relationships between circulating thromboxane levels and central arterial compliance in both cross-sectional and longitudinal (i.e., resistance training) designs. Methods and results: First, in a cross-sectional study, we assessed association between circulating thromboxane concentrations and central arterial compliance in 63 young men, who showed significant negative correlation between those parameters. Second, in a longitudinal study, we examined effects of high-intensity resistance training on circulating thromboxane concentrations and central arterial compliance and relationship among changes from baseline in those parameters. Young sedentary men were assigned to control (n = 7) or training (n = 17) groups. Subjects in training group underwent four-week supervised high-intensity resistance training. Resistance training significantly elevated circulating thromboxane concentrations and decreased central arterial compliance; no significant change was observed in control group, and there was significant correlation between changes in those parameters. Conclusions: circulating thromboxane is possible mechanism explaining resistance training-induced decrease in central arterial compliance in young men.