Hypotension following mild bouts of resistance exercise and submaximal dynamic exercise

Our purposes were (1) to examine resting arterial blood pressure following an acute bout of resistance exercise and submaximal dynamic exercise, (2) t o examine the effects of these exercises on the plasma concentrations of at rial natriuretic peptide ([ANP]), and (3) to evaluate the potential relatio nship between [ANP] and post-exercise blood pressure. Thirteen males [24.3 +/- (2.4) years] performed 15 min of unilateral leg press exercise (65% of their one-repetition maximum) and, 1 week later, approximate to 15 min of c ycle ergometry (at 65% of their maximum oxygen consumption). Intra-arterial pressure was monitored during exercise and for 1 h postexercise. Arterial blood was drawn at rest. during exercise and at intervals up to 60 min post -exercise for analysis of haematocrit and [(alpha ANP]. No differences occu rred in blood pressure between trials, but significant decrements occurred following exercise in both trials. Systolic pressure was approximate to 20 mmHg lower than before exercise after 10 min. and mean pressure was approxi mate to 7 mmHg lower from 30 min onwards. Only slight (non-significant) ele vations in [alpha ANP] were detected immediately following exercise, with t he concentrations declining to pre-exercise values by 5 min post-exercise. We conclude that post-exercise hypotension occurs following acute bouts of either resistance or submaximal dynamic exercise and, in this investigation , that this dec;eased blood pressure was not directly related to the releas e of alpha ANP.