The effects of exercising muscle mass on post exercise hypotension

Nine recreationally active, borderline hypertensive subjects completed 30 m in of arm ergometry (ARM) at 65% (V) over dot O-2 peak and 30 min of leg er gometry (LEG) at 70% (V) over dot O-2 Peak (randomised order). Blood pressu re was monitored before and for Ih after exercise using the Finapres method . Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were significantly reduced f or the entire Ih post exercise. This reduction was independent of exercise modality, but there was an indication for the duration of the effect to be prolonged following the leg exercise. We conclude that the mass of the work ing muscle does not directly effect the magnitude of post-exercise hypotens ion (PEH) but may influence the duration of the response. These results sug gest that a central mechanism or decreased Vascular responsiveness is respo nsible for PEH.