The effects of exercising muscle mass on post exercise hypotension

Nine recreationally active, borderline hypertensive subjects completed 30 min of arm ergometry (ARM) at 65% VO2 peak and 30 min of leg ergometry (LEG) at 70% VO2 Peak (randomised order). Blood pressure was monitored before and for 1 h after exercise using the Finapres method. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were significantly reduced for the entire 1 h post exercise. This reduction was independent of exercise modality, but there was an indication for the duration of the effect to be prolonged following the leg exercise. We conclude that the mass of the working muscle does not directly effect the magnitude of post-exercise hypotension (PEH) but may influence the duration of the response. These results suggest that a central mechanism or decreased vascular responsiveness is responsible for PEH.