PURPOSE: Increased cardiovascular reactivity to stressors is one of the important risk factors of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. While the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise training on modulating cardiovascular reactivity have been consistently demonstrated, it remains unclear whether resistance training may also provide similar benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on cardiovascular reactivity in young adults. METHODS: Twenty-six healthy subjects (age 23.7±1.8 years) were randomly assigned to either the resistance training (n=13) or the control group (n=13). The resistance training group only underwent a resistance training program (2 sets of 9 exercises targeting all major muscle groups) 2 days per week for 8 weeks. All exercises were performed at 40-50% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for 15-25 repetitions in the first 4 weeks (Week 1-4), and the exercise intensity increased to 60-70% of 1RM for 10-15 repetitions in the final 4 weeks (Week 5-8). The following outcomes, as indices of cardiovascular reactivity, were measured during 2-min cold pressor testing (ice water at 4°C) before and after training: heart rate, brachial and central blood pressures, rate pressure product, and augmentation index. RESULTS: The 8 weeks of resistance training did not change any of the indices of cardiovascular reactivity (p>.05) but did significantly increased muscular strength (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training may not have a mitigating effect on cardiovascular reactivity to sympathetic activation in healthy young adults.