Post-Exercise Blood Pressure after Constant Aerobic Exerclse and Anaerobic lnterval Exercise on Cycle Ergometer

Völker K, Hanebrink C, Fromme A, Mooren FCh, Thorwesten L

Abstract

There is little information on the long-term blood pressure reaction to ergometry, especially regarding its relationship to exercise intensity.The aim of the present study was to compare the post-exercise blood pressure decrease after 30 minutes of constant aerobic exercise and anaerobic interval exercise. 22 normotensive athletes (11female, 11 male) aged 25.8 ± 2.7 years performed a 30 minute aerobic and anaerobic exercise stress test an a cycle ergometer. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured 20 minutes before to120 minutes after the test, at rest and in a seated position using the ABDM TM2430 PC. The initial decrease of blood pressure (until 15minutes post -exercise) was higher in the case of anaerobic interval exercise compared to constant aerobic exercise. From 16 minutes post-exercise, the mean decrease in blood pressure after the anaerobic test (11.7 ± 1.1 mmHg systolic, 5.6 ± 0.9 mmHg diastolic) was clearly but not significantly lower than after the aerobic test (9.3 ± 1.4 mmHg systolic, 2.2 ± 0.9 mmHg diastolic). The lowering of blood pressure is due to a decrease in peripheral resistance. Regarding the consequences for hypertensive therapy, it can be concluded that the more pronounced effect of anaerobic exercise does not justify the higher risk of this kind of stress.