Physiological response to circuit weight training in borderline hypertensive subjects

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Abstract
Each session and at several locations in the circuit. Subjects were assessed pre- and post-training. Upper and lower body strength increased 12.5 and 53% when assessed by one-repetition maximum lifts for bench press (57 to 64 kg) and leg press (134 to 205 kg), respectively. Total weight lifted per circuit increased 57% (4,374 to 6,866 kg). Lean body mass increased 2.2% (64.0 to 65.4 kg), skinfold thicknesses decreased, and other measures of body composition remained unchanged. Cardiovascular endurance as assessed by arm ergometry maximal oxygen uptake increased 21.1% (1.9 to 2.3 1-min−1), and by 7.8% as assessed by treadmill maximal oxygen uptake (40.9 to 44.1 ml·kg−1. min−1). Resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not change. Diastolic blood pressure fell from 95.8 to 91.3 mm Hg. All changes were significant to at least P < 0.05. Thus, cireuit weight training can elicit marked improvements in muscular strength and modest improvements in body composition and cardi-orespiratory endurance. Circuit weight training does not exacerbate resting or exercise blood pressure and may have beneficial effects. ©1987The American College of Sports Medicine...