Effect of Resistance Training on Blood Pressure and Autonomic Responses in Treated Hypertensives

Abstract

Trevizani, GA, Seixas, MB, Benchimol-Barbosa, PR, Vianna, JM, da Silva, LP, and Nadal, J. Effect of resistance training on blood pressure and autonomic responses in treated hypertensives. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1462-1470, 2018-This study evaluated the effect of resistance training (RT) on heart rate variability (HRV) and on blood pressure (BP) responses to acute and short-term exposure in treated hypertensive (HT) subjects. Twenty-one men participated in the study, 8 HT under drug treatment regimen and achieving adequate BP control before inclusion and 13 normotensive (NT). The RT protocol consisted of 12 sessions with eight exercises (leg extension, leg press, leg curl, bench press, seated row, triceps push-down, seated calf flexion, and seated arm curl) performed for two sets of 15-20 repetitions with 50% of one repetition maximum with 2-minute rest intervals in between sets, 3×/week. Heartbeat measurements were taken before and after RT, and BP was measured at the beginning and at the end of each session after 10-minute rest. The repeated measures analysis of variance (effect: group vs. training) evaluated BP and HRV responses. Effect size (ES) calculation measured the magnitude of the RT effect on these variables. There was a statistically significant reduction in postexercise systolic BP in both groups (p = 0.040), without significant change in resting BP along RT (p = 0.159). Regarding HRV, it was observed a reduced sympathetic-vagal balance (training interaction vs. group: p = 0.058, ES = -0.83) in HT subjects. Resistance training promotes a significant acute reduction of BP in the HT and NT groups and provides a slight benefit of cardiac autonomic balance in the HT.

Non-periodized and Daily Undulating Periodized Resistance Training on Blood Pressure of Older Women

“…Nevertheless, we should assume that more studies confirming the reliability of salivary NO as a method to assess vascular NO are still necessary. Since NO availability was unchanged in the groups, other mechanisms are responsible for the beneficial effects observed after NP exercise training, such as autonomic modulation (Shimojo et al, 2015 ; da Palma et al, 2016 ; Trevizani et al, 2017 ). Other limitations of the present study—in addition to the absence of the evaluation of the autonomic cardiac control—should be mentioned to collaborate with better inferences about the data, such as the lack of dietary control and the inclusion of individuals regardless of BMI.…”

Effects of 12 Weeks of Resistance Training on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in School Adolescents

“…Such characteristics of this type of training point to its clinical relevance in keeping the BP of transient hypertensive individuals at lower levels during daytime intervals, of 14 when BP is usually at its highest levels [42]. Among the main adjustments promoted by resistance training are reduced peripheral vascular resistance, decreased systolic volume, reduced sympathetic activity and changes related to adrenergic endothelial sensitivity [42,43]. The limitation of our study was the reduction in the number of participants (230 to 122), due to strike affecting the students' school, which occurred during a significant period of research development.…”

HIIT & RT or RT & HIIT: The order of stimulations alters acute hemodynamic response?

“…Some of these changes are hypertrophy and increase of muscle strength, alteration in body composition, hormone release and neuromuscular alteration (9) , cardiac response and blood flow (10) . Additionally to all changes resistance training may still be used as an effective method to minimize the injury risk (11) . When comparing RT with HIIT was found a greater change in HR lactate during training and also increase in cortisol during exercise and after a rest period showing to be efficient in the issue of cellular wear and alteration of homeostasis even if there was the same time under tension in both (8)(9)(10) .…”

“…Resistance training with load does not bring many physiological changes but being done with greater volume and lower overload brings about greater physiological changes (9) and also alters plasma lipids reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (11) . Other studies show that resistance training may be effective in treating systemic arterial pressure since it has an acute response reducing post-exercise levels.…”