The blood pressure-lowering effect of a single bout of resistance exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

A single bout of resistance exercise can have a BP-lowering effect that last for up to 24 hours. Supine recovery and the use of larger muscle groups resulted in greater BP reductions after resistance exercise.

Efeito de duas diferentes frequências semanais de treinamento com pesos sobre a força muscular e pressão arterial em mulheres idosas normotensas

“…Divergences of results seem to be related to the characteristics of samples studied, mainly in relation to pre-experiment BP values. Higher reduction magnitudes appear to occur in individuals with higher BP values and untrained individuals [28][29] . Gerage et al 19 submitted 29 normotensive and untrained older women to 12 weeks of RT in three weekly sessions and observed reductions in SBP (-5 mmHg).…”

Neural mechanismsand post-exercise hypotension: The importance of experimental studies

“…Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) has been observed in normotensive and hypertensive humans 8,9 , likewise, in animal models of hypertension 7 , being greater in hypertensive than normotensive subjects 24,25,26 . In humans, PEH has been documented following various types of dynamic exercise (walking, running, cycling, and swimming), as well as in resistance exercise 7,25,26,27,28 .…”

“…Different methods have been used to assess it, such as the auscultatory method 31,32 , intra-arterial measurement method 33,34 , and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24h assessment) 29,30,31,35 . In the recent meta-analysis, Cassonatto et al 8 showed that a single bout of resistance exercise elicited small-to-moderate reductions in systolic blood pressure at 60 and 90 minutes after exercise, and in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure compared to control session. They concluded that a single bout of resistance exercise could have a blood pressure-lowering effect that lasts up to 24 hours.…”

“…Also, it is interesting to note that the time and magnitude of PEH depends on the subject's characteristics 37 , physical activity type 34,38 , muscle mass involved 39 , duration, volume and/or intensity of physical activity performed 25,40,41,42 . The use of physical exercise to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive subjects is already well emphasized in clinical trials and systematic reviews 8,43,44,45 . In addition, several clinical trials identified the effectiveness of physical training to reduce blood pressure levels 46,47,48 , as well as in meta-analysis 7,49,50,51 .…”

“…The arterial baroreceptor in hypertensive subjects adapts to high levels of blood pressure, via receptors depolarization reduction, diminishing thus its functional capacity 5,6 . The role of physical exercise in blood pressure reduction has been well documented in animal models 7 and humans 8,9 , and this phenomenon occurs due to adjustments in the neurohumoral mechanisms. Post-exercise hypotension [PEH] is a prolonged decrease in arterial blood pressure after a single bout of exercise 7 .…”