Effect of body mass index on post-exercise hypotension in healthy adult males

Abstract

Background: Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is a physiological phenomenon of fall in blood pressure (BP) from basal value following exercise. Therefore, it can be used as a physiological method to treat hypertension. Obesity is known to be associated with hypertension. However, the association between body mass index (BMI) and PEH is unknown. Aims and Objective: The aim and objective are to compare the maximum PEH between healthy adult males with normal BMI and those with above normal BMI. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy, young male participants with normal BMI (18.5–24.9) and BMI above >25 kg/m2 (n = 30 in each group) were recruited. After recording basal heart rate and BP, the participants were made to walk on a treadmill at 50% of their VO2 max for 20 min. Six post-exercise BP values at 5-min intervals were recorded. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: The maximum systolic PEH was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in normal BMI group (median = 7 vs. 5) than the higher BMI group. However, the maximum post-exercise diastolic PEH was comparable between the groups. Spearman correlation test revealed a significant negative correlation between BMI and fall in systolic BP after exercise (r = −0.52, P < 0.01) for the pooled data. Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that BMI has a negative effect on the post-exercise systolic PEH. Hence, BMI must be taken into consideration while devising an exercise regimen for an individual as part of their lifestyle modification.