Reproducibility of postexercise ambulatory blood pressure in Stage I hypertension

The accuracy and reproducibility of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring used in intervention and treatment studies is essential to assure the desired health outcomes. The reproducibility of ambulatory variables in pharmacological studies has been reported, however, the reproducibility of ambulatory blood pressure variables associated with exercise has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of the postexercise ambulatory blood pressure in Stage I hypertensive adults. It was hypothesized that the reproducibility of the ambulatory blood pressure variables would not be different following two corresponding exercise and control treatments. A total of 18 Stage I hypertensive adults (142.1+/-3.15/91.6+/-1.80 mmHg) performed four randomized, 24 h AmBP monitoring sessions: two following a 50 min treadmill walk (50% VO(2) peak) and two on control days. Variables measured were: (1) average systolic and diastolic pressures for 24 h, daytime (06:00-22:00 h) and night time (22:00-06:00 h) and (2) systolic and diastolic load for the same time periods. Both a nonsignificant paired t-test and an excellent intraclass correlation were used to define reproducibility of the variables between the 1st and 2nd exercise trials and between the 1st and 2nd control trials. Reproducibility was found for all the control variables except for nighttime diastolic load. Reproducibility was found for all the systolic and diastolic exercise variables. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements, including average systolic and diastolic blood pressures and systolic and diastolic loads for 24 h, daytime and night time periods are reproducible following exercise.