Low‐ and moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise acutely reduce blood pressure in adults with high‐normal/grade I hypertension

Abstract

The aim of the study is to compare the acute effects of low‐ and moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise on post‐exercise blood pressure in active adults with high‐normal/grade I hypertension. Thirteen physically active adults (67.0 ± 8.7 years) randomly completed two aerobic exercise sessions of 30 minutes at low (30% heart rate reserve [HRres]) and moderate (60% HRres) intensity. Blood pressure was assessed pre‐session and every hour until 3 hours after. Systolic blood pressure decreased after both exercise intensities without significant differences between sessions at 1 hour after the session (30%: −10.0 ± 12.6% vs 60%: −11.4 ± 12.7 mm Hg, P > .05). Three hours after the 60% session, the systolic blood pressure remained significantly lower than baseline (139.9 ± 12.9 to 129.3 ± 11.9 mm Hg, P < .05), but without significant differences between sessions. No relevant changes were observed in diastolic and mean blood pressure. In conclusion, a single session of aerobic exercise acutely reduces systolic blood pressure in active adults with high‐normal/grade I hypertension.