Influence of post-exercise activity on plasma catecholamines, blood pressure and heart rate in normal subjects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not the type of activity performed during recovery might influence the magnitude of catecholamine outflow following exercise. Six active, male volunteers between 40-52 years recovered from strenuous treadmill exercise in three different ways; standing, supine rest and walking (2 mph, 0% grade). Measurements of noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A), heart rate and blood pressure were made at rest, peak exercise, and at 30 s intervals through 5-min of recovery. Peak exercise NA concentrations were approximately 1000% above those recorded as rest. Early recovery was marked by a continued increase in NA from peak exercise concentrations (4614 +/- 548 vs. 3264 +/- 485 pg/ml) which did not return to peak exercise levels until approximately 90 s of recovery. Adrenaline responses followed similar trends; however, the changes were not as sizable. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were significantly affected by the post-exercise condition; supine recovery produced significantly lower mean heart rates and mean diastolic blood pressures in comparison to standing or continued walking recovery conditions. Thus, these data indicate no specific recovery strategy will stem the rise in exercise-induced plasma catecholamines. Clinically, a strategy of continued walking, or better, supine recovery will best meet special clinical requirements, as well as limit the magnitude of the peak catecholamine increases.