Increasing the Number of Sets of Resistance Training Combined with Aerobic Exercise Blunts the Postexercise Hypotensive Response and Cardiovagal Reactivation in Overweight and Obese Participants – a Group and Individual Analysis

To investigate the effect of different resistance exercise (RE) volumes on postexercise hypotension (PEH) and cardiovagal reactivation after a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise session in overweight/obese participants. Twenty-three participants (10 women) with overweight/obesity completed 4 exercise sessions: 30 min of moderate-intensity (50%–55% of heart rate reserve) aerobic exercise (Aerobic) alone, and Aerobic combined with single-set (Comb4set), 3 sets (Comb12sets), and 6 sets (Comb24sets) of 4 RE performed at 90% of 12-repetition maximum. Blood pressure and SD1 index of heart rate variability were assessed at rest and during 60 min of post-exercise recovery. Finally, responder rates—defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions > 4 and > 2 mmHg, respectively—were assessed immediately after exercise and after 60 min of recovery. Postexercise systolic hypotension was observed in all exercise protocols except for Comb24sets. Diastolic hypotension was observed only in combined protocols, but lasted only 20–40 min. Lower responder rate for systolic (P = 0.04) and diastolic (P = 0.03) hypotension was observed in Comb24sets compared to Aerobic after 60 min of recovery. Additionally, SD1 was significantly lower after Comb24sets compared with Aerobic from the first to the fifth minute of post-exercise recovery (P = 0.004–0.04). No differences were observed between protocols in the SD1 index at 20, 40 and 60 min of post-exercise recovery. Adding a RE session to 30 min of aerobic exercise did not provide additional benefits for postexercise hypotension or responders rates in participants with overweight or obesity within 60 min of recovery. Moreover, Comb24sets blunted postexercise hypotension and initial cardiovagal reactivation.