Tabari Biomedical Student Research Journal

Background & Objectives: Numerous studies on improving physical fitness in bodybuilding athletes with resistance training have pointed the side effects of this type of training. Unfortunately, little research has been done on the effect of resistance training patterns on cardiovascular variations. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of flat and double pyramid loading patterns of resistance training on cardiovascular behavior of bodybuilders. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on nine healthy male bodybuilders, aged 20-25 years, without any specific medical conditions. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups (i.e., flat pyramid loading patterns, double pyramid loading patterns and control groups). The cardiovascular variable, i.e., heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) and rate-pressure product (RPP), were measured before, as well as immediately, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 minutes after the resistance training with two patterns. Results: The results showed that HR, SBP, DBP and MBP significantly decreased in the flat and double pyramid groups, as compared to the control group (P< 0/05). But, RPP significantly increased in the flat and double pyramid groups at all the mentioned times (P< 0/05). Conclusion: Regardless of the patterns, resistance training can have beneficial effects on some cardiovascular factors and might lead to reduced blood pressure. However, this post-exercise hypotension pattern may vary with different methods of resistance training.