Effects of dynamic resistance training on postexercise hypotension and its mechanisms in hypertensive men

A possible chronic effect of exercise training is the attenuation of the acute decrease in blood pressure (BP) observed after the execution of a session of exercise [i.e. called postexercise hypotension (PEH)]. However, there are few empirical data regarding this issue, and the possible mechanisms involved in this blunted response have not been studied.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dynamic resistance training (DRT) on PEH and its systemic, vascular, and autonomic mechanisms.

Data from 16 middle-aged treated hypertensive men who underwent DRT (eight exercises, 50% of 1RM, three sets until moderate fatigue) three times/week for 10 weeks were analyzed. Before and after the training period, the participants underwent an experimental session in which BP (auscultation), systemic hemodynamics (CO 2 rebreathing), vascular function (duplex ultrasound), and cardiovascular autonomic modulation (spectral analysis of heart rate and BP variabilities) were assessed before and after a session of DRT.

DRT reduced preexercise systolic BP and mitigated the systolic PEH that occurred before but not after the training period ( P  = 0.017). DRT did not change the diastolic PEH that occurred with similar magnitude before and after the training period ( P  = 0.024). DRT did not change the PEH mechanisms, except for cardiac sympathovagal balance that increased significantly more after the session of DRT conducted in the posttraining evaluation ( P  = 0.017).

In medicated hypertensive men, 10 weeks of DRT decreased preexercise systolic BP, abolished systolic PEH, and induced a greater increase in postdynamic resistance exercise sympathovagal balance.