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Updated: May 9, 2026

Doppler Ultrasound-Based Leg Blood Flow Assessment During Single-Leg Knee-Extensor Exercise in an Uncontrolled Setting
Published on: December 15, 2023
Continuous blood pressure response at different intensities in leg press exercise
Nuno M F de Sousa1, Rodrigo F Magosso2, Thiago Dipp3
1Graduation Program Interunities - Bioengineering, EESC/FMRP/IQSC, USP, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil nunosfrade@gmail.com.
Continuous blood pressure monitoring during leg press exercise reveals that systolic blood pressure initially decreases before increasing during sets. Both exercise intensity and duration influence this blood pressure response.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cardiovascular Response
- Resistance Training
Background:
- Traditional blood pressure monitoring during resistance exercise is often discontinuous and measured post-exercise.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the continuous blood pressure dynamics throughout resistance exercise sets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To continuously assess blood pressure and heart rate responses during incremental leg press exercise at various intensities.
- To investigate the influence of exercise intensity on these cardiovascular parameters.
Main Methods:
- Seven healthy normotensive men underwent incremental leg press testing to determine one repetition maximum (1RM).
- Photoplethysmography was used for simultaneous, continuous measurement of blood pressure and heart rate during exercise.
- Exercise was performed at varying relative intensities of 1RM.
Main Results:
- Peak heart rate, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were observed at 70% 1RM.
- SBP exhibited a biphasic response: an initial decrease (12-22 mmHg over ~25 seconds) followed by an increase during exercise sets.
- The rate of SBP increase did not significantly differ across tested intensities.
Conclusions:
- Resistance exercise intensity and duration significantly impact blood pressure responses.
- Above 30% 1RM, SBP characteristically decreases initially and then rises towards the end of a leg press set.
Related Concept Videos
Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...

