The effects of exercise intensity on post exercise hypotension

Ten normotensive, recreationally active participants aged 35.0 +/- 16.3 yea rs, volunteered to participate in the study. Average baseline blood pressur e (BP) was 132/75 mm Hg for systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressure res pectively. On two separate days, participants underwent testing in a random ised, repeated measures fashion such that they performed 30-min bouts of cy cle ergometry at a power output which elicited 50 or 75% of (V) over dot O- 2 Peak. Blood pressure was monitored continuously throughout the session by the Finapres method with 2-min windows recorded at rest, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min post exercise. SBP was similar between the two trials and became hypotensive at 5 through 15 min post exercise, The largest decrement (8 mm Hg) in SBP occurred 5 min post exercise. DBP was also unaffected by the intensity of exercise and wa s lower than before exercise at 5 and 15 through 45 min post exercise. Simi larly, mean arterial pressure (MAP) showed significant decrements at 5 and 15 through 45 min post exercise irrespective of exercise intensity. Heart rate was greater during the 75% intensity than during the 50% intensi ty trial. Pre-exercise values were re-established by 45 min post exercise. (V) over dot O-2 remained significantly elevated above pre-exercise values in both trials until 15 min post exercise. Haematocrit increased significan tly during both exercise bouts but returned to pre-exercise values by 10 mi n post exercise. This study indicates that cycle ergometry at 50 and 75% of (V) over dot O-2 (Peak) elicit similar reductions in post exercise BP. Therefore bouts of m ild to moderate intensity exercise may be beneficial in the control of hype rtension.