Differences in Blood Pressure and Workload Intensity During Arm and Leg Ergometry at Submaximal Target Heart Rates in College-Aged Individuals

Abstract

Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) during arm (AE) and leg ergometry (LE) have traditionally been compared at submaximal intensities of the peak oxygen uptake, which is often challenging to interpret in clinical practice. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship of the heart rate with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and workload (WL) during AE and LE exercise. Methods: A prospective, observational, cross-sectional design with 35 healthy subjects compared BP and WL during AE and LE at specific submaximal target heart rates (HRs) of 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 beats per minute. A linear mixed model tested for differences in SBP, DBP, and WL between AE and LE. Results: There was a larger increase in SBP {0.55 mm Hg (95% CI [0.38, 0.73])} per heart beat during LE. There was a larger increase in WL {0.62 watts (95% CI [0.38, 0.85])} and WL relative to body mass {0.01 watts/kg (95% CI [0.006, 0.011])} per heart beat during LE. Statistical models were developed that estimated SBP, DBP, and WL based on the submaximal heart rate. Conclusion: The findings from this investigation informs physical therapists that lower SBP, higher DBP, and lower WL is achieved at any given submaximal HR during AE compared with LE. Furthermore, prediction equations derived from the statistical models can be used to compare actual against predicted SBP and DBP responses to determine tolerance to exercise. Finally, differences in WL per beat increase in HR are valuable in dosing exercise on the AE or LE.