Muscular strength is inversely associated with aortic stiffness in young men

Muscular strength is associated with reduced mortality. Paradoxically, strength training may increase central artery stiffness, a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the relationship between muscular strength and central arterial stiffness has yet to be defined. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between muscular strength and central arterial stiffness in young men. METHODS: Central and peripheral pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index, muscular strength, and aerobic capacity (V̇O_2peak) were measured in 79 young men (mean ± SD, age = 23 ± 4 yr). Height, weight, and brachial blood pressure were also recorded. Muscular strength was determined using a one-repetition maximum bench press and normalized to bodyweight. Spearman correlations were used to determine the relationships between relative strength, aerobic fitness, and hemodynamic/vascular measures. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between central PWV and strength (r = -0.222, P < 0.05). The relationship remained significant when controlling for aerobic fitness (r = -0.189, P < 0.05). Muscular strength was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in men with low central PWV (5.2 ± 0.4 m•s) compared with men with high central PWV (6.6 ± 0.4 m•s). CONCLUSION: These results show that there is a significant inverse association between muscular strength and aortic stiffness independent of aerobic fitness.