Scientific advances in post-exercise hypotension: a bibliometric review

This study aimed to perform a bibliometric review to map scientific advances and research trends related to post-exercise hypotension (PEH), a transient blood pressure reduction following physical exercise, increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological strategy for hypertension management. A comprehensive search was conducted on Scopusdatabase to identify publications on PEH from 1985 to 2024. Metadata from 440 selected articles were analyzed using VOSviewer™ and Gephi™ software to construct keyword co-occurrence networks and identify emerging research topics, influential authors, and leading institutions. Bibliometric analysis revealed an increasing trend in PEH publications over the past decade, with Brazil and the United States leading in research output. High-intensity interval training, isometric resistance exercise and nutritional interventions emerged as key topics. Findings emphasized exercise intensity, recovery posture, and dietary strategies modulate PEH magnitude and duration. Complex autonomic and vascular factors were consistently implicated as physiological mechanisms of PEH, supporting the importance of individualized exercise prescriptions. This review highlights the growing clinical and scientific importance of PEH research. Notable gaps include the need for standardized assessment methodologies, greater biomarker utilization, and further evaluation of multimodal exercise-nutrition strategies to improve clinical translation. Future studies should expand PEH research in clinically high-risk and underrepresented groups (e.g., older adults and individuals with cardiometabolic or renal comorbidities), using harmonized protocols to enhance comparability and applicability.