Effects of Strength Training on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Strength training (ST) has been studied for acute and chronic effects on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV). These effects have never been reviewed collectively concerning the variables that comprise a ST program. Therefore, this review aims to examine the manipulation of ST variables (i.e., load intensity, number of sets and repetitions, exercise order, and rest interval length) on BP and HRV after a session and a long-term program. The BP reduced significantly after an ST session independently of the load intensity, the number of sets and repetitions, the rest interval length, the mode, and the participant characteristic (healthy patients or patients with chronic disease). However, a high number of sets and repetitions, prioritizing multijoint exercises, with longer rest interval lengths between sets and exercises may potentiate these effects. In the HRV analyses, most of the trials showed a sympathetic predominance after an ST session. Hence, it is reasonable to confirm that central adjustments are responsible to control hemodynamics after an ST session.

Central and peripheral mechanisms underlying postexercise hypotension: a scoping review

“…We identified only four systematic reviews without metaanalyses elucidating mechanisms of PEH based on exercise modality: one focusing on aerobic [31], another on aerobic/ resistance [33], and two specifically on resistance exercisesisometric [50] and dynamic [51]. The primary trials within these systematic reviews examined young or older adults with normal/elevated [31,51] or elevated BP [33], or middleaged and older adults with elevated BP [50].…”

“…We identified only four systematic reviews without metaanalyses elucidating mechanisms of PEH based on exercise modality: one focusing on aerobic [31], another on aerobic/ resistance [33], and two specifically on resistance exercisesisometric [50] and dynamic [51]. The primary trials within these systematic reviews examined young or older adults with normal/elevated [31,51] or elevated BP [33], or middleaged and older adults with elevated BP [50]. Anunciac ¸ão and Polito [33] compared aerobic and resistance exercise, highlighting that acute aerobic exercise led to BP reductions associated with decreased SVR, while BP reductions from resistance exercise were linked to reduced Q. Brito et al [31] explored moderators of PEH, concluding that reduced Q played a greater role in PEH compared with reductions in SVR in older vs. young, overweight vs. normal weight, and elevated vs. normal BP samples.…”

Blood Pressure in Normotensive Young Adults Is Not Influenced by Resistance Training Rest Interval Duration

“…In their systematic review, Corso et al 7 identified only three chronic resistance training studies, of which only one study demonstrated a significant reduction in SBP. 7 All the rest interval groups in this study experienced a significant reduction in their SBP after 8 weeks of resistance training.…”

“…In their systematic review, Corso et al 7 identified only three chronic resistance training studies, of which only one study demonstrated a significant reduction in SBP. 7 All the rest interval groups in this study experienced a significant reduction in their SBP after 8 weeks of resistance training. Limitations of this study include self-reporting of blood pressure and exercise data, nutritional factors, and anxiety levels experienced by the participants.…”

“…6 Five sets of 8 to 10 repetitions produce a greater acute hypotensive response than three sets. 7 One systematic review included three chronic studies of which only one demonstrated a reduction in SBP, and none of the studies demonstrated a change to DBP. 7 The chronic study that demonstrated a reduction in SBP included a population of non-hypertensive elderly women who completed a 12-week resistance training program of three sessions per week of eight exercises with two sets, and 10 to 15 repetitions.…”