The effect of eight weeks of resistance training on nitric oxide and apelin levels in women with pre-hypertension

High blood pressure is a threat to the health of individuals, especially women. In order to overcome this threat, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training on blood pressure and nitric oxide and apelin levels in women with pre-hypertension. For this purpose, 24 women with pre-hypertension of 30-45 years old were randomly divided into two groups of exercise and control. The training group received three sessions per week for 8 weeks. One day before the start and 48 hours after the last session of the training, blood was taken from the subjects. The changes of apelin and nitric oxide levels were measured by elisa method. Dependent t-test  and independent t-test were used for comparison within the group and between groups (p <0.05). The results showed that Apelin and Nitric oxide levels increased significantly in the training group (P <0.001), if there was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the subjects (p <0.001). while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Resistance training reduces blood pressure by increasing apelin and nitric oxide levels as a result. Probably, eight weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training will significantly improve blood pressure, apelin and nitric oxide in women with pre-hypertension.