Intra-Arterial Pressure During Arm Weightlifting Exercise in Cardiac Patients

Abstract

<p> This study investigated the circulatory response to double-arm weightlifting exercise and compared the responses during free weight and machine equipment weightlifting in eight patients (mean age = 57.6±10 years) with well-documented coronary artery disease. Subjects performed bench press and overhead press exercises at 40 and 60% of 1 repetition maximum using both the free weights and machine equipment. Intra-arterial pressure was measured in the subclavian artery using a Millar catheter-tip pressure transducer. Arterial pressures rose in parallel with both modes of lifting (free weight and machine equipment), while heart rate did not increase substantially. Mean peak systolic (169 to 197 mmHg) and diastolic (95 to 119 mmHg) pressures recorded during the final repetitions of each weightlifting set did not, however, exceed values considered to be acceptable for dynamic exercise. Individual subjects recorded diastolic pressures as high as 150 mmHg during one or more of the weightlifting exercises, and individual mean arterial pressures reached values as high as 181 mmHg during overhead press machine equipment exercise at 60% of 1RM. While these high arterial pressures associated with weightlifting exercise increased myocardial oxygen demand (RPP=9643 to 15290), the increase in diastolic pressure may have augmented oxygen supply (DPTI=3448 to 3926 mmHg.s.min-1). However, because of the proportionately larger increase in RPP compared to DPTI, the ratio of oxygen supply to demand decreased with arm weightlifting exercise (DPTI:RPP=0.3741 to 0.2629). Nevertheless, the estimated myocardial oxygen supply to demand relationship appears to be more favourable during double-arm weightlifting exercise compared to estimated values from previous maximal cycle ergometer testing. These results suggest that double-arm weightlifting exercise at 40 to 60% of 1RM is safe and appropriate for patients with coronary artery disease and can be performed using either free weights or machine weightlifting equipment.</p>