State-of-the-art lecture - Influence of exercise training on neurogenic control of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Exercise training plays an important role in the reduction of high blood pr essure. In this review, we discuss the effect of distinct intensities of ex ercise training on the reduction of high blood pressure in spontaneously hy pertensive rats (SHR). In addition. we present some hemodynamic mechanisms and associated neural controls by which exercise training attenuates hypert ension in SHR. Low-intensity exercise training is more effective in reducin g high blood pressure than is high-intensity exercise training in SHR. The decrease in blood pressure is due to resting bradycardia, and in consequenc e, lower cardiac output. Sympathetic attenuation to the heart is the major explanation for the resting bradycardia. Recovery of the sensitivity of bar oreflex control of heart rate, which is usually impaired in SHR, is an impo rtant neurogenic component involved in the benefits: elicited by exercise t raining.