Hypotensive response magnitude and duration in hypertensives: continuous and interval exercise

• Published in: Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia Vol. 104; no. 3; pp. 234 - 241
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Raphael Santos Teodoro de, Pires, Cássio Mascarenhas Robert, Junqueira, Gustavo Cardoso, Freitas, Dayana, Marchi-Alves, Leila Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia 01-03-2015; Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia - SBC; Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (SBC)
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Pressure - physiology; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory - methods; CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Test; Exercise Therapy - adverse effects; Exercise Therapy - methods; Exercício; Heart Rate - physiology; Hemodynamics; Hipertensão; Hipotensão Pós – Exercício; Humans; Middle Aged; Monitoração Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial; Original; Post-Exercise Hypotension - etiology; Post-Exercise Hypotension - physiopathology; Pressão Arterial; Reference Values; Statistics, Nonparametric; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Blood Pressure; Hypertension; Exercício; Exercise; Blood Pressure Monitoring; Hipotensão Pós – Exercício; Post-Exercise Hypotension; Monitoração Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial; Hipertensão; Ambulatory; Pressão Arterial
• DOI: 10.5935/abc.20140193
• EISSN: 1678-4170
• ISSN: 0066-782X; 1678-4170

Although exercise training is known to promote post-exercise hypotension, there is currently no consistent argument about the effects of manipulating its various components (intensity, duration, rest periods, types of exercise, training methods) on the magnitude and duration of hypotensive response.
To compare the effect of continuous and interval exercises on hypotensive response magnitude and duration in hypertensive patients by using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).
The sample consisted of 20 elderly hypertensives. Each participant underwent three ABPM sessions: one control ABPM, without exercise; one ABPM after continuous exercise; and one ABPM after interval exercise. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and double product (DP) were monitored to check post-exercise hypotension and for comparison between each ABPM.
ABPM after continuous exercise and after interval exercise showed post-exercise hypotension and a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in SBP, DBP, MAP and DP for 20 hours as compared with control ABPM. Comparing ABPM after continuous and ABPM after interval exercise, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in SBP, DBP, MAP and DP was observed in the latter.
Continuous and interval exercise trainings promote post-exercise hypotension with reduction in SBP, DBP, MAP and DP in the 20 hours following exercise. Interval exercise training causes greater post-exercise hypotension and lower cardiovascular overload as compared with continuous exercise.