Effect of acute moderate-intensity cycling on peripheral and central blood pressure at rest and during stress test

Abstract

Introduction: The favorable influence of acute as well as regular exercise on peripheral blood pressure (BP) regulation is widely known. In the present study we investigated the influence of acute endurance exercise on peripheral and moreover on central BP and during a cold pressor stress test. Methods: In 30 healthy men (33.2 7.2 years, BMI 24 2.4 kg / m;) peripheral and central BP were measured non-invasively at rest and at the end of a 2 minute cold pressor test (CPT) using Mobil-O-Graph (PWA monitor, IEM Company). After a 60 minute endurance training on a bicycle ergometer (65% of the previously during cardiopulmonary exercise testing determined maximum heart rate) peripheral and central BP were controlled again after 60 minutes of recovery and thereafter during a CPT. Results were compared with those before the endurance exercise. Results: After 60 minutes of recovery peripheral systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p 1⁄4 0.02) BP were still reduced (129 9/83 7mmHg before to 122 8/80 6mmHg post exercise). Both central systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p 1⁄4 0.01) pressures were significantly reduced from 118 10/ 85 7 to 112 8/81 6 mmHg as well. In comparison to BP during CPT before exercise, BP during CPT after endurance exercise showed a significant reduction in peripheral (p 1⁄4 0.02) and central (p 1⁄4 0.02) systolic BP (142 13 mmHg to 137 12 mmHg; 129 13 mmHg to 125 12 mmHg). There were no significant reductions in diastolic BP, although reduced mean values were recorded (peripheral BP 95 13 to 93 11 mmHg; central BP 97 13 to 95 11 mmHg). Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that moderate acute endurance training results not only in a decrease of peripheral BP but more of central BP regulation even after 60 minutes of recovery. Furthermore, the peripheral as well as central BP response during a subsequent stress test was attenuated due to the previous exercise bout when compared with pre-exercise.