Chronic resistance training does not affect post-exercise blood pressure in normotensive older women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Resistance training has been recommended for maintenance or improvement of the functional health of older adults, but its effect on acute cardiovascular responses remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training on post-exercise blood pressure (BP) in normotensive older women. Twenty-eight normotensive and physically inactive women (≥ 60 years) were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG underwent a resistance training program (12 weeks, 8 exercises, 2 sets, 10-15 repetitions, 3 days/week), while the CG performed stretching exercises (12 weeks, 2 sets, 20 s each, 2 days/week). At baseline and after the intervention, participants were randomly submitted to two experimental sessions: a resistance exercise session (7 exercises, 2 sets, 10-15 repetitions) and a control session. BP was obtained pre- and post-sessions (90 min), through auscultation. Post-exercise hypotension was observed for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP in the TG (-6.1, -3.4, and -4.3 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05) and in the CG (-4.1, -0.7, and -1.8 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). After the intervention period, the magnitude and pattern of this phenomenon for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP were similar between groups (TG -8.8, -4.1, and -5.7 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05 vs CG -11.1, -5.8, and -7.6 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). These results indicate that a single session of resistance exercise promotes reduction in post-exercise BP and 12 weeks of resistance training program do not change the occurrence or magnitude of this hypotension. (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02346981).

Figures

Fig. 1

Design of the study

Fig. 2

Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MBP) for training group (TG = 14) and control group (CG = 14), in resistance exercise and control sessions at baseline (a, b, and c) and after 12 weeks of intervention - follow up - (d, e, and f). *P < 0.05 vs. rest

Fig. 3

Net changes for systolic blood pressure ((SBP), a), diastolic blood pressure ((DBP), b), and mean blood pressure ((MBP), c) for training group (TG, n = 14) and control group (CG, n = 14) at baseline and after 12 weeks of resistance training (follow up). *P < 0.05 vs. rest