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

Background: 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.

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

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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.