EFFECT OF HANDGRIP EXERCISE ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN BALLET DANCERS, POWER AND ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Abstract

The effects of power and endurance training on blood pressure have been investigated. The haemodynamic impact of ballet training, classified as intermittent, is not well understood. PURPOSE To evaluate systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to dynamic and static exercises in ballet dancers, power and endurance athletes. METHODS 9 ballet dancers, 10 power and 10 endurance althletes and 18 untrained subjects, 24±2 vs 21±2 vs 23±2 vs 24±3 years, 20±1 vs 24±2 vs 22±2 vs 22±2 kg/m2, underwent to a experimental protocol in which dynamic (40 contraction/minute) and static exercise handgrip were performed with dominant arm at 10% and 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 3 minutes at 10% and 30% MVC. Post-handgrip forearm ischaemia (FI) was performed after 30% MVC exercises. SBP and DBP (oscilometric method -DIXTAL), HR (EKG) and FBF by venous occlusion pletismography. Forearm vascular resistance (FVR) by Mean Blood Pressure/FBF. VO2 max (mlO2/1/min-1) was measured directly on a cycle ergometer (30W/3min protocol). RESULTS VO2max values were higher in athletes than in untrained subjects (ballet dancers=42±2 mlO2/1/min-1, endurance=54±3 mlO2/1/min-1, power=44±2 mlO2/1/min-1, and untrained subjects=35±3, P < 0.05). Post-static handgrip Fl increased DBP(mmHg) significantly in power athletes (25± 4) and led to a mild rise in ballet dancers (8± 3) and untrained subjects (10± 3) P < 0.05. Dynamic handgrip at 30% MVC elicited greater SBP (mmHg) increase in endurance (15± 3) and power (13± 4) athletes when compared to ballet dancers (3± 3) and untrained subjects (4± 2), P=0.003. Dynamic exercise FI led to a SBP rise in endurance (15± 3) and power (16± 4) athletes when compared to ballet dancers (−1± 4) and untrained subjects (5± 3mmHg), P=0.003. No difference was found in HR, FBF and FVR among groups. CONCLUSION Power and endurance training may elicit higher sympathetic activation during dynamic and static exercises than intermittent training.