Heart rate and blood pressure response to several methods of strength training

This study was undertaken to determine heart rate and blood pressure responses to various exercises used during strengthening programs. Heart rate, blood pressure, and pressure-rate product (systolic blood pressure X heart rate) were determined for five subjects performing five different strength-training exercises at 75 and 100 percent of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The exercises included isometric and isokinetic exercises and isotonic exercises with free weights. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pressure-rate product increased significantly with all exercises; heart rate increased with most of the exercises. In some, but not all, of the exercise sessions in which two measurements were made at different times, heart rate, blood pressure, and pressure-rate product were higher for the second measurement. Pressure-rate product was significantly higher for the exercises performed at 100 percent of MVC than for those performed at 75 percent of MVC. The isokinetic exercise performed at 100 percent of MVC produced the highest pressure-rate product.