Blood pressure responses after a session of functional training in young adults and the elderly: a pilot study

Purpose The potential of functional training (FT) to improve health is evident. However, regarding post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in older adults, there are few data. The study aimed to determine the cardiometabolic demand imposed by an FT session and evaluate PEH, comparing it with exercise sessions with aerobic and resistance exercises in physically active practitioners. Methods Fourteen young (23.3 ± 2 years) and 15 older (68 ± 4 years) adults underwent a control session and FT session randomly determined. Blood pressure, heart rate, and double product were recorded at rest, during exercise, and in every 10 minutes over 60 minutes of recovery. Additionally, we measured the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Results The FT protocol promoted systolic PEH in both groups in the last half of recovery, reaching a reduction of 10.4 ± 4.9 mm Hg in young and 13.4 ± 3.8 mm Hg in older adults (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). There were no differences between the groups with reference to RPE at any time (p > 0.05). Conclusions A single FT session is able to promote PEH in normotensive young and borderline hypertensive older adults but without changing the RPE in comparison over the time, owing to a great similarity of FT practices in the groups.