Resistance‐trained young men exhibit enhanced carotid vasoreactivity during the cold pressor test

Hornby‐Foster, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5500-3215, Richards, Cory T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3605-7044, Drane, Aimee L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5208-917X, Lodge, Freya M., Stembridge, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0818-6420, Lord, Rachel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5385-7548, Yousef, Zaheer, Stone, Keeron ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6572-7874, McDonnell, Barry J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5912-1278 and Pugh, Christopher J. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5932-4793 (2026) Resistance‐trained young men exhibit enhanced carotid vasoreactivity during the cold pressor test. Experimental Physiology. doi:10.1113/EP093966 (In Press)

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Abstract

The function of the common carotid artery (CCA) is integral to the regulation of cerebral perfusion. Although endurance training is associated with consistent vascular benefits, the effects of resistance training on CCA function are unclear. The cold pressor test (CPT) assesses CCA vasoreactivity via sympathetic stimulation, with peak CCA vasoreactivity (CAR%peak) reflecting integrated endothelial–autonomic vascular function. In this study, we compared CAR%peak during the CPT in resistance-trained and untrained young men and examined associations with CCA stiffness and haemodynamics. CCA ultrasound was performed in 10 resistance-trained [24 years (95% confidence interval: 22,26)] and 10 untrained [24 years (22,25)] men at baseline, during a 3-min CPT and after recovery, with simultaneous haemodynamic assessment via finger plethysmography. CAR%peak was defined as the maximal percentage increase in mean diameter from baseline. Secondary outcomes included CCA stiffness indices and haemodynamics. Both groups exhibited CCA vasodilatation during CPT; however, CAR%peak was greater in resistance-trained men (P = 0.046). The resistance-trained group also displayed greater increases in systolic diameter at end-CPT (P = 0.033), alongside attenuated pulse pressure (P = 0.050; η2p = 0.201) and β1-stiffness (P = 0.041) responses during CPT. CAR%peak was negatively correlated with baseline β2-stiffness in resistance-trained men (r = −0.655; P = 0.040), whereas in untrained control subjects it was positively correlated with peak pulse pressure (r = 0.677; P = 0.031). In conclusion, resistance-trained young men exhibit enhanced CCA vasoreactivity and attenuated pulse pressure and stiffness responses to sympathetic stimulation, reflecting favourable adaptations in endothelial–autonomic vascular regulation. These findings highlight the potential of resistance training to improve central vascular function in early adulthood. Highlights What is the central question of the study? The impact of chronic resistance training on common carotid artery (CCA) vasoreactivity, a key marker of endothelial function, remains poorly defined in young adults. In this study, we investigated whether resistance-trained men exhibit distinct CCA responses during a sympathetic challenge (cold pressor test) compared with untrained age-matched control subjects. What is the main finding and its importance? Resistance-trained men demonstrate augmented CCA vasoreactivity during the cold pressor test compared with age-matched untrained control subjects. These findings indicate that chronic resistance training promotes superior large-artery endothelial function, which is likely to optimise the regulation of extracranial and cerebrovascular perfusion during acute sympathetic stress.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cold pressor test; common carotid artery; peak carotid artery reactivity;resistance training
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2026 09:17
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2026 09:30
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/16596

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