Hemodynamic effects of short-term arm-cranking exercise training in hypertensive type-2 diabetics

Abstract

Summary Objectives. — To investigate resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and rate-pressure product (RPP), as well as the occurrence of post-exercise hypotension (PEH) before and after 4 weeks of arm-cranking exercise training in hypertensive type-2 diabetics. Methods. — Sixteen individuals were allocated in trained (TRA; n = 10) or control group (CON; n = 6). They performed two submaximal incremental tests before (IT-1) and after (IT-2) 4 weeks of arm-cranking exercise training or non-training. BP was measured at rest and for 1 h after each IT. Results. — Both groups presented PEH of SBP, DBP and MAP after IT-1 and this response was attenuated after IT-2 for group TRA, but not for CON. There were reductions in resting BP, RPP and PP after the 4-week intervention for group TRA, with no changes for CON. Conclusion. — Hypertensive type-2 diabetics presented PEH after a single bout of arm-cranking exercise, but the effect was attenuated after 4 weeks of training. This might be a result of the significant reduction in resting BP, PP and RPP observed on IT-2 for group TRA. These results suggest that arm-cranking exercise may be effective to promote both acute and chronic hemodynamic benefits for this population. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.