Acute effects of moderate-intensity and high-intensity exercise on hemodynamic and autonomic reactivity to the cold pressor test in young adults with excess body weight

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a single session of moderate-intensity and high-intensity interval exercise in cardiovascular reactivity to the cold pressor test in young adults with excess body weight. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with excess body weight (23 ± 2 years; 30.0 ± 3.4 kg·m) performed three sessions: (1) moderate-intensity exercise (30-minute cycling at 50%-60% of heart rate reserve); (2) high-intensity exercise (four series of 3-minute cycling at 80%-90% of heart rate reserve, interspersed by 2-minute recovery) and (3) control (i.e. 30-minute seated). Before and 30 minutes after the interventions, subjects undertook assessments of SBP/DBP and heart rate in response to the cold pressor test (1-minute rest + 1-minute hand immersed in 4°C water). Reactivity was calculated as the absolute response of SBP, DBP and heart rate to cold pressor test and compared between interventions using a two-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Neither moderate-intensity exercise or high-intensity interval exercise attenuated SBP/DBP reactivity to cold pressor test compared with control. On the other hand, heart rate reactivity was reduced after moderate-intensity exercise compared with control (1.36 ± 8.35 bpm vs. 5.18 ± 9.45 bpm). Furthermore, moderate-intensity exercise reduced absolute levels of SBP/DBP from pre- to post-intervention. CONCLUSION: A single session of moderate-intensity exercise or high-intensity interval exercise did not reduce the SBP/DBP reactivity to cold pressor test. However, absolute levels of SBP/DBP were lower after moderate-intensity exercise, indicating a hypotensive effect promoted by a single session of moderate-intensity exercise in young adults with excess body weight.