INTRODUCTION: Resistance exercises are effective for maintaining health and activating stabilizing muscles, as they trigger abdominal wall tension responses. This study compared the effects of multi-joint and single-joint, upper-body and lower-body exercises (Lat pulldown, Rows, Peck deck, Chest press, Biceps curls, Triceps extensions, French-Press, Step up, Hip abduction/adduction, Squat, Leg press, Romanian deadlift, Hamstring curls) performed at maximal and submaximal intensities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 12 men and 18 women (age:47.8 ± 5.9 years, height:174.8 ± 10.2 cm, weight: 77.7 ± 15.4 kg, BMI:25.3 ± 3.6), who wore a noninvasive sensor Ohmbelt to measure abdominal wall tension performing exercises at 15 repetition maximum (RM), 10RM, 5RM, and 1RM. Differences across exercises and sex were compared by Friedman test with Durbin-Conover post-hoc, and intensities were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The study found significant differences (p < 0.05) in abdominal wall tension changes based on the type of exercise and training intensity. Multi-joint lower-body exercises, such as the Romanian deadlift, dumbbell front squat, and leg press, led to the greatest increases in abdominal tension in both sexes in comparison to single-joint upper-body exercises. Males had higher abdominal wall tension changes than females (p < 0.05) at 1RM, 5RM, and 10RM. However, no significant difference was found at 15RM, indicating that lower intensities produce similar abdominal wall tension changes in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that multi-joint lower-body exercises were found to produce greatest abdominal wall tension increases, especially compared to single-joint upper-body exercises. The abdominal wall tension was higher in males than females due to higher loads, emphasizing the need for exercise-specific approaches.

• Keywords
• Exercise prescription, Intra-abdominal pressure, Muscle activation, Noninvasive monitoring, Resistance exercise,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Stage 1 hypertension influences acute cardiovascular responses to resistance exercises and post-exercise recovery. We examined whether the order of exercises, particularly in agonist-antagonist pairings, can alter these cardiovascular responses. This study compares systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses during agonist and agonist-antagonist paired sets of upper and lower-body resistance exercises with a load of 75% repetition maximum in individuals with normotension and stage 1 hypertension. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled 47 participants with sedentary jobs, comprising 30 normotensive individuals (47.8 ± 5.9 years, height 174.8 ± 10.2 cm, weight 77.7 ± 15.4 kg, BMI 25.3 ± 3.6 kg/m2) and 17 hypertensive individuals (54.3 ± 6.0 years, 177.6 ± 11.3 cm, 89.8 ± 16.4 kg, BMI 28.5 ± 4,5 kg/m2). Acute cardiovascular parameters were measured using an arteriograph, a non-invasive device designed to assess vascular stiffness and cardiovascular health, after each set of resistance training. RESULTS: No significant differences in systolic blood pressure changes were found between the resistance training methods and aerobic exercise when comparing normotensive and hypertensive individuals. However, significant increases in systolic blood pressure were observed during lower-body exercises (11.3-24.7 mmHg for normotensives and 11.7-24.1 mmHg for hypertensives, p < 0.05). Hypertensive individuals showed slightly higher increases during lower-body supersets (p < 0.05). Regarding diastolic blood pressure, significant decreases were noted during upper-body resistance training for both groups, especially for normotensives (-10.6 to -13.7 mmHg, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Agonist and agonist-antagonist paired set resistance training for both lower and upper-body exercises resulted in similar blood pressure changes in individuals with normotension and stage 1 hypertension. These findings suggest that both methods may have comparable cardiovascular effects across blood pressure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06047678). Registration date: 31 August 2023.

• Keywords
• Acute cardiovascular responses, Blood pressure, Blood pressure changes, Hypertension, Resistance training,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH