A Single Bout of Arm-crank Exercise Promotes Positive Emotions and Post-Exercise Hypotension in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the acute effects of a single bout of arm cranking exercise on affective and cardiovascular parameters in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). This was a prospective, controlled, crossover study. Eleven men with symptomatic PAD underwent two experimental sessions in a random order: control or arm crank exercise (15×2minutes bouts of arm crank exercise interrupted by 2minutes rest intervals). During exercise, ratings of perceived exertion (Borg scale) and affective responses (pleasure/displeasure) were obtained at the first, fifth, tenth, and fifteenth bouts. Before and after the experimental sessions, cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) were obtained. Data were analysed by a two-way repeated measure analysis of variance with significance achieved at p<.05. During the arm crank exercise, patients reported positive feelings of pleasure. During exercise, heart rate (HR) remained within 80-90% of peak HR. Additionally, patients performed arm crank exercise with moderate levels of perceived exertion (Borg rating of 11-13) and with pleasant affective scores (Feeling Scale of+1 to+5). Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean) increase was lower after arm crank exercise than for control (greatest net effect:-15±11mmHg [p<.001];-9±5mmHg [p<.001];-9±6mmHg [p<.001], respectively), while HR increased (greatest net effect:+9±6 beats per minute; p<.001). A single bout of arm crank exercise promotes pleasurable feelings while reducing blood pressure in patients with symptomatic PAD.