Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Post-resistance exercise hypotension, hemodynamics, and heart rate variability: influence of exercise intensity

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The occurrence of post-exercise hypotension after resistance exercise is controversial, and its mechanisms are unknown. To evaluate the effect of different resistance exercise intensities on post-exercise blood pressure (BP), and hemodynamic and autonomic mechanisms, 17 normotensives underwent three experimental sessions: control (C—40 min of rest), low- (E40%—40% of 1 repetition maximum, RM), and high-intensity (E80%—80% of 1 RM) resistance exercises. Before and after interventions, BP, heart rate (HR), and cardiac output (CO) were measured. Autonomic regulation was evaluated by normalized low- (LFR–Rnu) and high-frequency (HFR–Rnu) components of the R–R variability. In comparison with pre-exercise, systolic BP decreased similarly in the E40% and E80% (−6 ± 1 and −8 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.05). Diastolic BP decreased in the E40%, increased in the C, and did not change in the E80%. CO decreased similarly in all the sessions (−0.4 ± 0.2 l/min, P < 0.05), while systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased in the C, did not change in the E40%, and increased in the E80%. Stroke volume decreased, while HR increased after both exercises, and these changes were greater in the E80% (−11 ± 2 vs. −17 ± 2 ml/beat, and +17 ± 2 vs. +21 ± 2 bpm, P < 0.05). LFR–Rnu increased, while ln HFR–Rnu decreased in both exercise sessions. In conclusion: Low- and high-intensity resistance exercises cause systolic post-exercise hypotension; however, only low-intensity exercise decreases diastolic BP. BP fall is due to CO decrease that is not compensated by SVR increase. BP fall is accompanied by HR increase due to an increase in sympathetic modulation to the heart.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American College of Sports Medicine (2000) ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia

  • Bermudes AM, Vassallo DV, Vasquez EC, Lima EG (2004) Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive individuals undergoing two single exercise sessions: resistive exercise training and aerobic exercise training. Arq Bras Cardiol 82:65–71, 57–64

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bisquolo VA, Cardoso CG Jr, Ortega KC, Gusmao JL, Tinucci T, Negrao CE, Wajchenberg BL, Mion D Jr, Forjaz CL (2005) Previous exercise attenuates muscle sympathetic activity and increases blood flow during acute euglycemic hyperinsulinemia. J Appl Physiol 98:866–871

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown SP, Clemons JM, He Q, Liu S (1994) Effects of resistance exercise and cycling on recovery blood pressure. J Sports Sci 12:463–468

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bush JA, Kraemer WJ, Mastro AM, Triplett-McBride NT, Volek JS, Putukian M, Sebastianelli WJ, Knuttgen HG (1999) Exercise and recovery responses of adrenal medullary neurohormones to heavy resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:554–559

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collins MA, Cureton KJ, Hill DW, Ray CA (1989) Relation of plasma volume change to intensity of weight lifting. Med Sci Sports Exerc 21:178–185

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Convertino VA (1987) Fluid shifts and hydration state: effects of long-term exercise. Can J Sport Sci 12:136S–139S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DeVan AE, Anton MM, Cook JN, Neidre DB, Cortez-Cooper MY, Tanaka H (2005) Acute effects of resistance exercise on arterial compliance. J Appl Physiol 98:2287–2291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher MM (2001) The effect of resistance exercise on recovery blood pressure in normotensive and borderline hypertensive women. J Strength Cond Res 15:210–216

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Focht BC, Koltyn KF (1999) Influence of resistance exercise of different intensities on state anxiety and blood pressure. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31:456–463

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forjaz CL, Cardoso CG Jr, Rezk CC, Santaella DF, Tinucci T (2004) Postexercise hypotension and hemodynamics: the role of exercise intensity. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 44:54–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gotshall RW, Aten LA, Yumikura S (1994) Difference in the cardiovascular response to prolonged sitting in men and women. Can J Appl Physiol 19:215–225

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwill JR, Taylor JA, Eckberg DL (1996) Impaired sympathetic vascular regulation in humans after acute dynamic exercise. J Physiol 495(Pt 1):279–288

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy DO, Tucker LA (1998) The effects of a single bout of strength training on ambulatory blood pressure levels in 24 mildly hypertensive men. Am J Health Promot 13:69–72

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones NL, Campbell EJ, McHardy GJ, Higgs BE, Clode M (1967) The estimation of carbon dioxide pressure of mixed venous blood during exercise. Clin Sci 32:311–327

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koltyn KF, Raglin JS, O’Connor PJ, Morgan WP (1995) Influence of weight training on state anxiety, body awareness and blood pressure. Int J Sports Med 16:266–269

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer WJ, Fry AC (1995) Strength testing: development and evaluation of methodology. In: Maud PJ, Foster C (eds) Physiological assessment of human fitness. Human Kinetics, Champaign, pp. 115–138

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald JR, MacDougall JD, Interisano SA, Smith KM, McCartney N, Moroz JS, Younglai EV, Tarnopolsky MA (1999) Hypotension following mild bouts of resistance exercise and submaximal dynamic exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 79:148–154

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacDougall JD, Tuxen D, Sale DG, Moroz JR, Sutton JR (1985) Arterial blood pressure response to heavy resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol 58:785–790

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malliani A, Pagani M, Lombardi F, Cerutti S (1991) Cardiovascular neural regulation explored in the frequency domain. Circulation 84:482–492

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mark AL, Mancia G (1996) Cardiopulmonary baroreflex in humans. In: Rowell LB, Shepherd JT (eds) Handbook of physiology: a critical, comprehensive presentation of physiological knowledge and concepts. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 795–813

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemela KO, Palatsi IJ, Ikaheimo MJ, Takkunen JT, Vuori JJ (1984) Evidence of impaired left ventricular performance after an uninterrupted competitive 24 hour run. Circulation 70:350–356

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien E, Pickering T, Asmar R, Myers M, Parati G, Staessen J, Mengden T, Imai Y, Waeber B, Palatini P, Gerin W (2002) Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring of the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol for validation of blood pressure measuring devices in adults. Blood Press Monit 7:3–17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor PJ, Cook DB (1998) Anxiolytic and blood pressure effects of acute static compared to dynamic exercise. Int J Sports Med 19:188–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor PJ, Bryant CX, Veltri JP, Gebhardt SM (1993) State anxiety and ambulatory blood pressure following resistance exercise in females. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25:516–521

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pescatello LS, Franklin BA, Fagard R, Farquhar WB, Kelley GA, Ray CA (2004) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and hypertension. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:533–553

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piepoli M, Coats AJ, Adamopoulos S, Bernardi L, Feng YH, Conway J, Sleight P (1993) Persistent peripheral vasodilation and sympathetic activity in hypotension after maximal exercise. J Appl Physiol 75:1807–1814

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raglin JS, Morgan WP (1987) Influence of exercise and quiet rest on state anxiety and blood pressure. Med Sci Sports Exerc 19:456–463

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raglin JS, Turner PE, Eksten F (1993) State anxiety and blood pressure following 30 min of leg ergometry or weight training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25:1044–1048

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roltsch MH, Mendez T, Wilund KR, Hagberg JM (2001) Acute resistive exercise does not affect ambulatory blood pressure in young men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:881–886

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowell LB, O’Leary D, Kellogg DL Jr (1996) Integration of cardiovascular control systems in dynamic exercise. In: Rowell LB, Shepherd JT (eds) Handbook of physiology: a critical, comprehensive presentation of physiological knowledge and concepts. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 770–838

    Google Scholar 

  • Seals DR, Rogers MA, Hagberg JM, Yamamoto C, Cryer PE, Ehsani AA (1988) Left ventricular dysfunction after prolonged strenuous exercise in healthy subjects. Am J Cardiol 61:875–879

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology, the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology (1996) Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Circulation 93:1043–1065

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the volunteers involved in this study. We also thank Alberto Porta for providing the software for spectral analysis, and Mariana Curi for statistical support. Cláudio C. Rezk works at Centro Universitário FIEO and Universidade Santo Amaro. Regina C.B. Marrache works at Instituto de Cardiologia Dante Pazzanese. This study was supported by FAPESP (01/01952-8) and CAPES (Demanda Social).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Hemodynamic Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello de Moraes, 65, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    C. C. Rezk, R. C. B. Marrache, T. Tinucci & C. L. M. Forjaz

  2. Hypertension Unit, General Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    D. Mion Jr

Authors
  1. C. C. Rezk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. C. B. Marrache
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Tinucci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. Mion Jr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. L. M. Forjaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. L. M. Forjaz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rezk, C.C., Marrache, R.C.B., Tinucci, T. et al. Post-resistance exercise hypotension, hemodynamics, and heart rate variability: influence of exercise intensity. Eur J Appl Physiol 98, 105–112 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0257-y

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0257-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation