[Effect of physical exercise training on the arterial pressure in normotensive subjects]

To determine the effect of exercise training on blood pressure at rest and during maximal exercise 15 adolescent and 15 adult normotensive cyclists were studied after a period of detraining and of physical activity. In the lying position resting blood pressure did not change with training, while a slight but significant decrease in blood pressure (p less than 0.05) was observed on standing up. At the same absolute work rate, after training exertional blood pressure was lower than before training, but at peak exercise the same blood pressure levels were achieved before and after training. These results indicate that, contrary to what has been reported in the sedentary subject, resuming exercise training after a period of detraining brings about in the normotensive athlete only minor changes in blood pressure.