Background: Current literature suggests that increased exercise is associated with decreased cardiovascular risk and improvements in vascular health. However, there is some conflict as to which modality of exercise has the most beneficial effect on vascular health and cardiovascular risk [1–3]. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the influence of two different training modalities on augmentation index (AIx). This was carried out in a group of tightly matched, young, healthy male athletes who were either resistance (RT) or endurance trained (ET).

Methods: 17 male athletes (9 RT + 8 ET) aged 18–25 years were assessed for height, weight, BMI, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and AIx. AIx, which has been shown to be the most sensitive marker of systemic vascular stiffness in young individuals, was determined using the Mobil-o-Graph device (IEM).

Results: No significant differences in height, weight or MAP (p>0.05) were observed between the RT and ET groups. However, both BMI and HR were found to be significantly higher in the RT compared to the ET group (P<0.05). Interestingly, the RT group also had significantly higher AIx at heart rate 75 compared to the ET group (14.4±9.6 % vs 0.3±12.3 %, P<0.05).

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that AIx was significantly higher in the RT compared to the ET group. Therefore, different modalities of exercise may elicit differential effects on vascular health. However, as this is a pilot study, larger and longitudinal studies are needed to support these findings.