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Immediate post-isometric exercise cardiovascular responses are associated with training-induced resting systolic blood pressure reductions

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of bilateral-leg isometric exercise training on the immediate isometric post-exercise cardiovascular responses, and (2) to ascertain whether any changes in immediate post-exercise cardiovascular responses may be associated with training-induced adaptations in resting blood pressure.

Methods

Thirteen normotensive males completed both isometric exercise training (IET) and control conditions, which were separated by 6 weeks. Participants performed a total of twelve training sessions; 4 × 2-min bilateral-leg isometric exercise bouts separated by 3-min rest periods, 3 days week−1.

Results

Four weeks of bilateral-leg IET resulted in a reduction in resting SBP (120 ± 12–115 ± 12 mmHg, p = 0.01). The intercept of the 5-min post-exercise systolic blood pressure slope was lower (p = 0.015) following the 4-week training intervention. Individual changes in immediate post-exercise response SBP were also significantly correlated with reductions in resting SBP following 4 weeks of training. There were significant differences in the slopes of the first vs. final post-exercise BRS response (p = 0.009), and the intercepts of the HRR slopes (p = 0.04) recorded during the 5-min post-exercise periods.

Conclusions

Four weeks of IET altered immediate cardiovascular responses to an individual IET session. Altered immediate responses were also associated with training-induced reductions in resting SBP. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence suggesting that very short-term (immediate) cardiovascular responses may be important in defining chronic reductions in resting blood pressure following a period of IET.

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Abbreviations

BP:

Blood pressure

BRS:

Baroreflex sensitivity

EMG:

Electromyography

HR:

Heart rate

HRR:

Heart rate recovery

IET:

Isometric exercise training

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science, Technology and Health, University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich, UK

    Gavin R. Devereux

  2. Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK

    Jonathan D. Wiles

  3. Laboratory of Systems Physiology, Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Reuben Howden

Authors
  1. Gavin R. Devereux
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  2. Jonathan D. Wiles
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  3. Reuben Howden
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gavin R. Devereux.

Additional information

Communicated by Massimo Pagani.

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Devereux, G.R., Wiles, J.D. & Howden, R. Immediate post-isometric exercise cardiovascular responses are associated with training-induced resting systolic blood pressure reductions. Eur J Appl Physiol 115, 327–333 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3021-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-3021-8

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