Effect of Concurrent Exercise on Post-exercise Hypotension in Borderline Hypertensive Women: Influence of Exercise Intensity

The aim was to investigate the effects of concurrent exercise at moderate (MO) and light (LI) intensity on post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Ten women with borderline hypertension were submitted to the experimental procedure consisting of three sessions. In the MO session, the participants ran on the treadmill for 22 minutes at 65% of HRmax and then performed 5 resistance exercises against resistance corresponding to 65% of 1RM. In the LI trial, they performed a similar sequence but with intensity of 40% of HRmax and 1RM for the endurance and resistance exercise, respectively. The participants rested in a non-exercise control trial (C). The blood pressures were assessed prior and post exercising after 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, and after four, five and six hours of recovery. A significant PEH of systolic blood pressure from the resting value was observed after the MO exercise bout at all time points, while the systolic blood pressure following the LI exercise trial decreased significantly only after the fourth hour compared to the resting value. PEH of diastolic blood pressure occurred after both LI and MO for 120 minutes and 5 hours compared to preexercise values, respectively. Blood pressure responses were not significantly altered during the C trial. This study suggests that a bout of concurrent endurance and resistance exercise provoked PEH in borderline hypertensive women up to six hours after exercise. However, concurrent exercise at MO intensity resulted in a longer PEH for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to LI intensity.