Effects of resistance training on endothelial function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background and aims The effects of resistance training on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which has been the gold standard non-invasive assessment of endothelial function and is associated with the risk of cardiovascular events, are not well known. We conducted a systematic review to analyze the effects of resistance training on FMD. Methods We searched Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscuss, Scopus, Web of Science and PEDro databases for studies that met the following criteria: (a) randomized controlled trials of resistance exercise with a comparative non-exercise group or contralateral untrained limb in adults and/or elderly; (b) studies that measured post-occlusion brachial artery FMD by ultrasonography, before and after intervention. Mean differences (MDs) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were calculated using an inverse variance method with a random effects model. Results Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 785 participants; 53 % females). Resistance training on FMD responses showed a favorable result for the resistance training group (n = 366) compared to the control group (n = 358) (MD 2.39, 95%CI 1.65, 3.14; p Conclusions Resistance training improves FMD in healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.