Effects of a single session of low- and high-intensity velocity-based resistance exercise on blood pressure in patients with hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of high and low-intensity velocity-based resistance exercise on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. METHODOLOGY: A crossover clinical trial was performed. Thirty-three participants with diagnosis of hypertension took part in the study. Participants underwent two sessions of resistance training: low-intensity, characterized by 12 repetitions and 6 sets at 40% of one-repetition maximum velocity; high-intensity, characterized by 6 repetitions and 6 sets at 80% of one-repetition maximum velocity. A 1-week washout was considered between the sessions. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise intensity at the first session. Blood pressure was measured by an automated device before and immediately after both sessions. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed after the sessions. Significance level was set at 5%. OUTCOMES: The results showed that low-intensity resistance exercises significantly decreased systolic (≈5 mmHg), diastolic (≈4 mmHg) and mean arterial blood pressure (≈4 mmHg), which was not observed after the high-intensity exercise. No significant differences were found between exercise sessions for the post 24-h ABPM. CONCLUSION: Low-intensity resistance exercise was more effective in decreasing blood pressure in patients with hypertension than a high-intensity protocol.