Resistance training exercises acutely reduce intraocular pressure in physically active men and women

J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):715-20. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0715:rteari>2.0.co;2.

Abstract

Our purpose was to examine the effect of the chest press and leg press exercises on intraocular pressure (IOP) in physically active, college-aged students. Fifteen healthy males and 15 females performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of the chest press or leg press with 70% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). IOP was measured using applanation tonometry with a Tono-PenXL prior to exercise, following each set and 5 minutes after the third set. Data were analyzed with a repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance and paired t-tests when necessary. A p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. For the chest press, IOP was reduced 8.0% after the first set, up to 14.5% after the second and third sets, and remained depressed 5 minutes post exercise. For the leg press, IOP was reduced 6.9% after the second set and 13.2% after the third set. IOP began to return to the pre-exercise value during 5 minutes post exercise. Males and females had similar IOP responses to the chest press and leg press exercise. Dynamic resistance exercises induce modest postexercise decreases in IOP.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Glaucoma / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / physiology*
  • Male
  • Sex Factors
  • Tonometry, Ocular
  • Weight Lifting / physiology*