Significant Post-exercise Hypotension Research Articles

Active intervals between sets and exercise of resistance exercises potentiate the magnitude of post-exercise hypotension in middle-aged hypertensive women.

Walking/run promotes greater post-exercise hypotension (PEH) than resistance exercise (RE) which can be associated nitric oxide production. Then, we investigated if adding walking between RE increases PEH. Thirteen hypertensive women (48 ± 1.9years; 26.8 ± 0.3kg/m2) performed five experimental sessions: 1-traditional RE with passive interval (PIBS); 2-RE with active interval between sets (AIBS); 3-RE with active interval between exercises (AIEX); 4-aerobic exercise (AE); 5-no exercise. Blood pressure was measured before and immediately after exercise and every 10min of a 60-min post-exercise recovery period. Plasma nitrite (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. AIBS, AIEX, and AE sessions promoted systolic PEH (12 ± 1.53; 16 ± 2.13; 18 ± 1.34mmHg, respectively) and diastolic PEH (8 ± 1.38; 8 ± 0.79; 8 ± 0.58mmHg). In AIBS, AIEX and AE sessions, significant PEH was noted at 10 or 20min; in PIBS, PEH was significant only at 40min. In the PIBS session, NO did not change, but presented higher values after AIBS, AIEX and AE sessions. MDA showed no changes between sessions. Passive or active intervals in resistance exercise promote PEH in hypertensive women. Active intervals shorten the PEH onset time as additional benefit.

Acute and chronic effects of traditional and high-speed resistance training on blood pressure in older adults: A crossover study and systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present study included two related investigations that explored the acute and chronic effects of high-speed resistance training (HSRT) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults. The first study involved a randomized crossover study that compared the acute effects of traditional resistance exercise (TRT) and high-speed resistance training (HSRT) on hemodynamic parameters in frail older adults. Sixteen institutionalized frail older adults were recruited. BP was recorded before, over 1h, and 24h after the end of the experimental session. Participants performed 4 resistance exercises involving 4-8 sets with 4-10 repetitions at moderate intensity. The second study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies that investigated the acute and chronic effects of HSRT on BP in older adults. Crossover, quasi-experimental, and randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of HSRT on BP in people aged 60+years as a primary or secondary outcome were included. Studies were retrieved from MEDLINE, SPORTDiscuss, CINAHL, SCOPUS and AgeLine databases from inception through December 31, 2021. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle - Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). A pooled effect size was calculated based on standard mean differences (SMD). In study 1, we observed that both TRT and HSRT caused post-exercise hypotension (PEH). However, systolic BP (SBP) was significantly lowered for up to 60min after TRT, while it was only reduced 30 and 50min after HSRT. There was no difference in SBP between resistance exercise protocols. A reduction in mean arterial pressure was only observed after TRT. In study 2, 1114 articles were identified, and 8 were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analyses indicated that HSRT did not cause significant PEH. However, a significant reduction in SBP was observed after HSRT programs in comparison to controls (SMD=0.61, P=0.009) and baseline values (SMD=2.03, P=0.04). In study one, we observed that both TRT and HSRT caused systolic PEH in comparison to baseline in frail older adults. However, specific patterns were observed according to each type of RT. Indeed, a longer PEH in comparison to baseline was observed after TRT, whereas HSRT had greater reductions in comparison to CS. In addition, TRT had exclusive reductions in MAP. These results were not supported by our meta-analysis, given that no significant effects of an acute session of HSRT on office and ambulatorial BP were observed. On the other hand, our findings suggest that HSRT might significantly reduce SBP in older adults.

Post-exercise cardiac autonomic and cardiovascular responses to heart rate-matched and work rate-matched hypoxic exercise

PurposeThis study investigated the effect of performing hypoxic exercise at the same heart rate (HR) or work rate (WR) as normoxic exercise on post-exercise autonomic and cardiovascular responses.MethodsThirteen men performed three interval-type exercise sessions (5 × 5-min; 1-min recovery): normoxic exercise at 80% of the WR at the first ventilatory threshold (N), hypoxic exercise (FiO2 = 14.2%) at the same WR as N (H-WR) and hypoxic exercise at the same HR as N (H-HR). Autonomic and cardiovascular assessments were conducted before and after exercise, both at rest and during active squat–stand manoeuvres (SS).ResultsCompared to N, H-WR elicited a higher HR response (≈ 83% vs ≈ 75%HRmax, p < 0.001) and H-HR a reduced exercise WR (− 21.1 ± 9.3%, p < 0.001). Cardiac parasympathetic indices were reduced 15 min after exercise and recovered within 60 min in N and H-HR, but not after H-WR (p < 0.05). H-WR altered cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) both at rest and during SS (specifically in the control of blood pressure fall during standing phases) in the first 60 min after the exercise bout (p < 0.05). Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) did not occur in H-HR (p > 0.05) but lasted longer in H-WR than in N (p < 0.05).ConclusionsModerate HR-matched hypoxic exercise mimicked post-exercise autonomic responses of normoxic exercise without resulting in significant PEH. This may relate to the reduced WR and the limited associated mechanical/metabolic strain. Conversely, WR-matched hypoxic exercise impacted upon post-exercise autonomic and cardiovascular responses, delaying cardiac autonomic recovery, temporarily decreasing cBRS and evoking prolonged PEH.

Exercise-Induced Changes in Bioactive Lipids Might Serve as Potential Predictors of Post-Exercise Hypotension. A Pilot Study in Healthy Volunteers.

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is the phenomenon of lowered blood pressure after a single bout of exercise. Only a fraction of people develops PEH but its occurrence correlates well with long-term effects of sports on blood pressure. Therefore, PEH has been suggested as a suitable predictor for the effectivity of exercise as therapy in hypertension. Local vascular bioactive lipids might play a potential role in this context. We performed a cross-over clinical pilot study with 18 healthy volunteers to investigate the occurrence of PEH after a single short-term endurance exercise. Furthermore, we investigated the plasma lipid profile with focus on arachidonic acid (AA)-derived metabolites as potential biomarkers of PEH. A single bout of ergometer cycling induced a significant PEH in healthy volunteers with the expected high inter-individual variability. Targeted lipid spectrum analysis revealed significant upregulation of several lipids in the direct post-exercise phase. Among these changes, only 15- hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid (HETE) correlated significantly with the extent of PEH but in an AA-independent manner, suggesting that 15-HETE might act as specific PEH-marker. Our data indicate that specific lipid modulation might facilitate the identification of patients who will benefit from exercise activity in hypertension therapy. However, larger trials including hypertonic patients are necessary to verify the clinical value of this hypothesis.

Hypotensive Response to Continuous Aerobic and High-Intensity Interval Exercise Matched by Volume in Sedentary Subjects

Abstract Background: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. Among the benefits linked to different modalities of physical exercise, post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is a key point for exercise prescription in this condition. Objective: To investigate and compare PEH in response to continuous aerobic exercise (CONT) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), matched by volume, in sedentary individuals. Methods: A randomized cross-over study, composed of sedentary, healthy male subjects submitted to two acute physical exercise protocols matched by volume, HIIE and CONT, on a treadmill. Hemodynamic measures for the evaluation of PEH were performed pre, immediately after exercise and every five minutes thereafter, during one hour of recovery. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measurements was used for comparisons between groups and Bonferroni post hoc test as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Both exercise protocols promoted significant PEH, with reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). HIIE promoted a reduction of SBP and MAP at the 15th minute, whereas the same effect was observed at the 30th following CONT. Conclusion: Both HIIE and CONT, matched by volume, promote PEH of similar magnitude. However, PEH occurs earlier following HIIE, suggesting a better time / effectiveness ratio, and an additional beneficial effect of this modality.

Cardiovascular Responses to Different Resistance Exercise Protocols in Elderly.

Increase in muscle mass and strength through resistance exercise (RE) has been highly recommended for healthy aging. On the other hand, RE could lead to acute cardiovascular risks prompted mainly by intense blood pressure elevations and cardiac autonomic imbalance. We compared the cardiovascular responses to three different RE protocols performed by 21 healthy elderly on a leg press machine. The protocols tested were high load (80% 1RM) until muscular failure (HL); low load (30% 1RM) until muscular failure (LL); low load, 30 repetitions followed by 3 sets of 15 repetitions, with 50% blood flow restriction (LL-BFR); and a control session (CON). Based on heart rate variability analysis, only LL kept parasympathetic indexes lower than CON at 30 min recovery. By finger photoplethysmography, LL-BFR prompted higher systolic and mainly diastolic blood pressure increments in many sets. The heart rate and cardiac output increase, and total peripheral resistance reduction following exercise were not different among RE protocols. There was no significant post-exercise hypotension and carotid arterial compliance changes. HL seems to be the safer protocol to be recommended for the healthy elderly, because it induces lower blood pressure increments and faster parasympathetic recovery compared to LL and LL-BFR.

Post-exercise hypotension and heart rate variability response after water- and land-ergometry exercise in hypertensive patients

Backgroundsystemic arterial hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease; physical activity for hypertensive patients is related to several beneficial cardiovascular adaptations. This paper evaluated the effect of water- and land-ergometry exercise sessions on post-exercise hypotension (PEH) of healthy normotensive subjects versus treated or untreated hypertensive patients.MethodsForty-five older women composed three experimental groups: normotensive (N, n = 10), treated hypertensive (TH, n = 15) and untreated hypertensive (UH, n = 20). The physical exercise acute session protocol was performed at 75% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) for 45 minutes; systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) blood pressure were evaluated at rest, peak and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes after exercise cessation. Additionally, the heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed by R-R intervals in the frequency domain for the assessment of cardiac autonomic function.ResultsIn both exercise modalities, equivalent increases in SBP were observed from rest to peak exercise for all groups, and during recovery, significant PEH was noted. At 90 minutes after the exercise session, the prevalence of hypotension was significantly higher in water- than in the land-based protocol. Moreover, more pronounced reductions in SBP and DBP were observed in the UH patients compared to TH and N subjects. Finally, exercise in the water was more effective in restoring HRV during recovery, with greater effects in the untreated hypertensive group.ConclusionOur data demonstrated that water-ergometry exercise was able to induce expressive PEH and improve cardiac autonomic modulation in older normotensive, hypertensive treated or hypertensive untreated subjects when compared to conventional land-ergometry.

POWERLIFTING SESSIONS PROMOTE SIGNIFICANT POST-EXERCISE HYPOTENSION

ABSTRACT Introduction: Powerlifting (PWL) is a worldwide method, frequently used in resistance training programs. However, the relationship between cardiovascular responses and PWL is still unclear in the literature. Objective: To evaluate acute cardiovascular overload and post-exercise hypotension (PEH) after acute powerlifting exercise session in subjects with experience in the modality. Methods: Nine powerlifting athletes (34 ± 5 years) participated voluntarily in this study. The following exercises were used in the session: squat, bench press and deadlift (95% of 1 RM, 2 to 5 repetitions). The anthropometric parameters and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean) were evaluated immediately, 5', 10', 30', 60' and 24 hours after the exercise session with a non-invasive automatic pressure monitor. Results: Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were found between rest and immediately after exercise on systolic (135 ± 6 vs. 153 ± 10 mmHg) and mean (102 ± 3 vs. 108 ± 3 mmHg) blood pressures, but no difference was found at diastolic (85 ± 3 vs. 85 ± 4 mmHg) blood pressure. Additionally, the increase in systolic pressure did not reach values considered as a risk of cardiovascular overload. Significant PEH was found after 60 minutes (systolic: -12 ± 12%, diastolic: -5 ± 6% and mean: -7 ± 5%) and 24 hours after PWL session (systolic: -5 ± 4%, diastolic: -8 ± 4% and mean: -7 ± 3%). Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that a PWL session does not increase systolic blood pressure up to the risk range and promotes PEH after 60 minutes of exercise and that this cardiovascular response persisted after 24 hours post-exertion in powerlifting athletes.

The training and detraining effect of high-intensity interval training on post-exercise hypotension in young overweight/obese women.

Studies evaluating the response in blood pressure (BP) following high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are scant even though there has been extensive work done on the BP response following acute and chronic low- to moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals. The present study sought to investigate the training and detraining effects of short-term HIIT on the post-exercise hypotension (PEH) response in overweight/obese young women. Twenty young untrained women volunteered for the study. Participants performed six HIIT sessions on a treadmill within 2 weeks (week 1: 10 × 1 min and week 2: 15 × 1 min intervals at 90-95% HRmax, separated by 1 min active recovery at 70% HRmax each session) and detrained for 2 weeks. Post-exercise BP was measured for 1 h following the first and last HIIT sessions. Participants were normotensive (SBP: 119.2 ± 5.60 mmHg; DBP: 78.8 ± 4.12 mmHg) and had a BMI greater than 25 kg m(-2). The magnitude of the systolic hypotensive response was slightly greater after the six sessions HIIT compared to pre-training (5.04 and 4.28 mmHg, respectively), and both would be considered clinically significant (>3 mmHg decrease). After 2 weeks, detraining the PEH response was not clinically significant (1.08 mmHg decrease). The magnitude of the DBP response was only clinically significant following post- and detraining (4.26 and 3.87 mmHg, respectively). The findings suggest that six HIIT sessions is sufficient to affect clinically significant PEH responses in young, overweight/obese women; however, the training effects are lost within 2 weeks of detraining.

Blood pressure reduction following prolonged exercise in young and middle-aged endurance athletes

Previous studies examining the relationship between exercise dose and post-exercise hypotension (PEH) have employed a limited range of exercise duration and subject age. We extended the dose-response curve by studying two intensities of prolonged exercise that may produce a greater magnitude of PEH and reveal age differences in the exercise dose-response relationship for PEH. Two groups of healthy recreational endurance athletes were studied: Young (n = 17; age 28 ± 1.1 years) and middle-aged participants (n = 18; 52 ± 0.90 years). They performed on separate occasions, 120 min of prolonged exercise (running) at moderate (60% VO2max) and high intensities (80% VO2max). PEH after 1 hour of recovery was similar within each age group for either exercise intensity, but was significantly greater in the middle-aged group (moderate intensity, -12.3 ± 1.6 mmHg; high intensity, -15.1 ± 1.7 mmHg) compared with the young group (moderate intensity, -1.2 ± 1.7 mmHg; high intensity, -5.7 ± 2.5 mmHg; p < 0.05). Stepwise regression showed that baseline blood pressure but not age was significantly related to the degree of PEH. Thus, the greater PEH seen in the middle-aged group is attributed to their higher baseline blood pressure (124 ± 3.0/79 ± 2.0 mmHg) than the young group (111 ± 2.0/69 ± 1.8 mmHg). A reduced total peripheral resistance following exercise was the primary contributor to PEH across both age groups and exercise intensities. We conclude that prolonged exercise induces a significant PEH regardless of exercise intensity.

Effect of 12 weeks of resistance exercise on post-exercise hypotension in stage 1 hypertensive individuals

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH), the reduction of blood pressure (BP) after a single bout of exercise, is of great clinical relevance. As the magnitude of this phenomenon seems to be dependent on pre-exercise BP values and chronic exercise training in hypertensive individuals leads to BP reduction; PEH could be attenuated in this context. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether PEH remains constant after resistance exercise training. Fifteen hypertensive individuals (46 ± 8 years; 88 ± 16 kg; 30 ± 6% body fat; 150 ± 13/93 ± 5 mm Hg systolic/diastolic BP, SBP/DBP) were withdrawn from medication and performed 12 weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training. Parameters of cardiovascular function were evaluated before and after the training period. Before the training program, hypertensive volunteers showed significant PEH. After an acute moderate-intensity resistance exercise session with three sets of 12 repetitions (60% of one repetition maximum) and a total of seven exercises, BP was reduced post-exercise (45-60 min) by an average of aproximately -22 mm Hg for SBP, -8 mm Hg for DBP and -13 mm Hg for mean arterial pressure (P<0.05). However, this acute hypotensive effect did not occur after the 12 weeks of training (P>0.05). In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PEH, following an acute exercise session, can indeed be attenuated after 12 weeks of training in hypertensive stage 1 patients not using antihypertensive medication.

Postexercise Hypotension After Moderate-Intensity Continuous and High-Intensity Interval Exercise

Moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in the postexercise setting. However, the effects of shorter, high-intensity interval exercise sessions on postexercise hypotension (PEH) are unknown. PURPOSE: To compare postexercise BP responses after moderate-intensity continuous exercise and two different types of high-intensity interval exercise. METHODS: Eleven healthy subjects (10 male, 1 female; Age = 25.5 + 3.7 years; VO2peak = 44.9 + 7.5 ml/kg/min; SBP = 124.4 + 20.9 mmHg, DBP = 67.6 + 6.9 mmHg) underwent, in randomized order, one control (CON) trial and three exercise conditions on a cycle ergometer: moderate-intensity continuous exercise [MOD; 80% HRmax for 30 min], aerobic interval exercise [AIE; 4 × 4-min bouts at 90-95% HRmax separated by 3 min of active recovery], and sprint interval exercise [SIE; 6 "all-out" 30-sec sprints (Wingate tests) separated by 4 min active recovery]. Seated BP was measured with an automated oscillometric BP cuff prior to the start of exercise and at 15-min intervals for 3 hr postexercise. Mixed model analysis was used to examine the differences in blood pressure following the exercise bouts. Post-hoc testing was carried out to examine pair-wise comparisons. RESULTS: All exercise conditions resulted in a significant PEH. The mean (+SD) SBP during the 3-hr postexercise period was significantly (p< 0.05) lower after AIE than CON (-6.4 + 0.9 mmHg), MOD (-4.1 + 0.9 mmHg), and SIE (-3.7 + 0.9 mmHg). SIE and MOD resulted in equivalent and significant SBP reductions as compared to CON (-2.7 + 0.9 and -2.3 + 0.9 mmHg; p < 0.05). Mean DBP during the 3-hr postexercise period was also lower (p< 0.05) after AIE compared to CON (-3.6 + 0.6 mmHg), MOD (-2.8 + 0.6 mmHg), and SIE (-1.6 + 0.6 mmHg); DBP was also lower after SIE compared to CON (-1.9 + 0.6 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic interval exercise resulted in superior reductions in both SBP and DBP as compared to SIE and MOD for up to three hours postexercise. AIE was well tolerated and may be a useful exercise strategy to help lower BP in otherwise healthy young adults. Extremely high-intensity sprint-type exercise (e.g., Wingate) is not necessary to maximize PEH.

Gender Differences in Postexercise Hypotension

The role of postexercise hypotension (PEH) is potentially significant in designing first line strategies against hypertension. Gender differences in the magnitude and pattern of PEH may be influenced by the phases of oral contraception (OC) use. PURPOSE: To examine central and peripheral haemodynamics regulating PEH following moderate-intensity exercise in moderately active normotensive males and females. The impact of OC phase upon potential gender differences was examined by investigating females in two phases of OC use. METHODS: We studied 8 females (age: 21±1 yr) during the consumption and withdrawal phases of OC use and 8 males (age: 21±0.7 yr) on 2 separate occasions. Central and peripheral haemodynamics were recorded via echocardiography and venous occlusion plethysmography before and for 45 min following 30 min of cycle ergometry at 80% of the lactate threshold. RESULTS: Postexercise haemodynamics did not differ with OC phase (P > 0.05). Significant PEH was observed in all subjects (P < 0.05), with the magnitude of the nadir in all blood pressure variables being significantly greater (P < 0.05) in females compared to males (11±7 vs 4±1, 11±6 vs 5±1, 9±5 vs 4±1 for systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, respectively), whilst no interactions between gender and phase of OC use were reported (P > 0.05). Cardiac output (CO) and heart rate (HR) increased transiently postexercise and displayed gender by time interactions (P < 0.05), with a greater initial rise in CO in males than in females (31% vs 20 %) due to a larger increase in HR (26 % vs 5 %). Ejection fraction in females initially increased by 6% compared to rest, whilst in males it remained below baseline values for 40 min of recovery revealing a gender by time interaction (P < 0.05). Postexercise calf blood fow was greater in males than females (2.9±1.0 mL·100 mL-1·min-1 vs 2.0±0.9 mL·100 mL-1·min-1; P < 0.05), as a result of a significantly lower (P < 0.05) mean calf vascular resistance in males (46±21 units vs 34±12 units in females). No gender by time interactions were reported (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of postexercise hypotension is greater in females receiving oral contraceptives compared to males. There were distinct gender differences in the cardiovascular mechanisms underpinning PEH but these were not influenced by the phase of OC use.

Exercise induced hypervolemia: Role of exercise volume

EXERCISE INDUCED HYPERVOLEMIA: ROLE OF EXERCISE MODE William Bradley Nelson Department of Exercise Sciences Master of Science The supine posture has been shown to limit exercise-induced plasma volume expansion. Differences in hydrostatic pressure gradients between the standing and seated position indicate that treadmill exercise might promote a greater plasma volume expansion than cycle ergometer exercise. To test this hypothesis ten subjects performed intermittent high intensity exercise (4 min at 85% VO2max, 5 min at 40% VO2max repeated 8 times) on separate days on the treadmill and cycle ergometer. Changes in plasma volume expansion were calculated from changes in hematocrit and hemoglobin. Stroke volume (SV), trans-thoracic impedance (Z0), HR, and arterial blood pressure (noninvasive arm cuff, SBP & DBP) were assessed in the seated position before and postexercise. Zo increased (p<0.05) as subjects started exercise (both treadmill and cycling), indicating a reduction in central blood volume (CBV), which returned to baseline towards the end of exercise. Postexercise Zo returned to control levels within 30 min regardless of the previous exercise mode. A significant post-exercise hypotension was observed following cycle ergometer exercise (p<0.05) but not following treadmill exercise. Plasma volume increased 6.1±1.0% and 7.0 ± 1.1% (p<0.05) following treadmill and cycle ergometer exercise, respectively. The increase in PV was similar for both exercise modes. Initial differences in central blood volume disappeared over the course of the exercise protocol and during recovery, possibly indicating that there is a postural threshold and moving beyond it yields no further effect. The lack of differences between modes of exercise on plasma albumin content and Z0 indicate that the upright postures were not different from each other. As such, PV expansion following high intensity intermittent exercise appears to be independent of upright exercise mode.

Influence Of Menstrual Cycle Phase Upon Gender Differences In Post Exercise Hypotension

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) may contribute to long-term adaptations related to exercise, such as improvement of hypertension. Although the magnitude of PEH seems to be unaffected by gender, the impact of menstrual cycle phase upon gender comparisons has been ignored. PURPOSE To examine central and peripheral haemodynamics regulating PEH following moderate-intensity exercise in moderately active males and females. The impact of menstrual cycle phase upon potential gender differences was examined by investigating females in three phases of their cycle. METHODS We studied 8 females (age:20±0.3 yr) during the early follicular (EF), late follicular (LF) and mid-luteal (ML) phases of the menstrual cycle and 8 males (age:21±0.7 yr) on 2 separate occasions. Central and peripheral haemodynamics were recorded via echocardiography and venous occlusion plethysmography before and for 45 min following 30 min of cycle ergometry at 80% of the lactate threshold. RESULTS Significant PEH was observed in all subjects (P < 0.05) with the magnitude of the nadir in all blood pressure variables being significantly greater (P < 0.05) in females compared to males;10±1 vs 4±1,9±1 vs 5±1, 8±1 vs 4±1 for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), respectively. Blood pressure responses did not differ between tests in males, whilst females demonstrated a lower DBP and MAP throughout recovery in the EF phase compared to the LF and ML phases (P < 0.05:at 20 min post-exercise, 68±4.5 mmHg, 74±3.4 xx mmHg and 71±6.1 mmHg for DBP, and 83±2.7 mmHg, 88±3.7 mmHg and 86±5.2 mmHg for MAP, respectively). This difference resulted in a phase-by-gender interaction with DBP and MAP over the 45-min recovery being lower in females than in males in the EF phase only (P < 0.05). SBP displayed a gender-by- time interaction, indicating a different temporal pattern of recovery in each gender (P > 0.05). Cardiac output (CO) and heart rate (HR) increased transiently post-exercise and displayed gender-by-time interactions (P < 0.05). The interaction in CO indicated a greater post-exercise increase in CO in males than in females which was maintained by a larger increase in HR (26±0.3 % vs 3±3.2 %) and a smaller increase in stroke volume (4±0.2 % vs 8±6.6 %). These central haemodynamic indices were unaffected by menstrual cycle phase, whilst calf blood flow and systemic vascular resistance were unaffected by either menstrual phase or gender (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Cardiovascular recovery from exercise appears to differ between males and females and this difference is further influenced by menstrual cycle phase.