Postexercise hypotension and hemodynamics: the role of exercise intensity (original) (raw)

Although postexercise hypotension (PEH) has already been extensively demonstrated, the influence of exercise intensity on its magnitude and mechanisms is still controversial. Twenty-three normotensive subjects were submitted to a control (45 minutes of rest) and 3 exercise sessions (cycle ergometer, 45 minutes at 30%, 50% and 75% of .VO(2peak)) to investigate the role of exercise intensity on PEH. Blood pressure (BP - auscultatory), heart rate (HR - ECG), and cardiac output (CO - CO2 rebreathing) were measured before and after the control and exercise sessions. Systolic BP decreased significantly after exercise at 50% and 75% of .VO(2peak). Diastolic BP increased significantly during the control session, did not change after exercise at 30% of .VO(2peak), and decreased significantly after exercise at 50% and 75% of .VO(2peak). This fall was greater and longer after more intense exercise. CO and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) responses were similar between sessions, CO increased ...