Influence of rest interval lengths on hypotensive response after strength training sessions performed by older men

The purpose of this study was to compare the postexercise hypotensive response after different rest intervals between sets (1 and 2 minutes) in normotense older men. Seventeen older men (67.6 ± 2.2 years) with at least 1 year of strength training experience participated. After determination of 10 repetition maximum (10RM) loads for exercises, subjects performed 2 different strength training sessions. On the first day, volunteers performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions per exercise at 70% 10RM, with 1 or 2 minutes' rest interval between sets depending on random assignment. On the second day, the procedures were similar but with the other rest interval. There was no difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between rest intervals at any time point measure. Before 1- and 2-minute sessions, the systolic blood pressure values were 122.7 ± 6.0 and 123.2 ± 3.7 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure values were 80.5 ± 5.6 and 82.0 ± 3.7 mm Hg, respectively. Both 1 and 2 minute sessions still presented reduced values for systolic blood pressure after 60 minutes (102.9 ± 6.9 and 106.7 ± 5.4 mm Hg, respectively), while the diastolic blood pressure presented significant reductions for 50 minutes after a 1 minute session (12.1 to 5.6 mm Hg) and for 60 minutes after the 2 minute session (13.3 to 6.5 mm Hg). Additionally, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure effect size data demonstrated higher magnitudes at all time point measures after the 2-minute rest sessions. These results suggest a poststrength training hypotensive response for both training sessions in normotense older men, with higher magnitudes for the 2-minute rest session. Our findings suggest a potentially positive health benefit of strength training.