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Int J Sports Med 2021; 42(11): 985-993
DOI: 10.1055/a-1337-2998
Physiology & Biochemistry

Effects of Isometric Biceps Exercise on Blood Pressure in Adults with Hypertension

Paulo Henrique Medeiros Silva
1   Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Leandro Campos de Brito
2   School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Ludmila Lucena Pereira Cabral 
3   Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Luiz Fernando Farias-Junior 
4   Graduate Program in Psychobiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Rodrigo Alberto Vieira Browne 
3   Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
,
Lauro C. Vianna 
5   NeuroVASQ - Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brazil
,
Eduardo Caldas Costa 
1   Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
3   Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
6   Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Abstract

We investigated the acute effects of isometric biceps exercise on resting and ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive adults. A total of 12 medicated hypertensive adults (aged 47±7 years; body mass index 27.2±2.7 kg/m2; resting blood pressure 123±12/74±6 mmHg) performed an isometric biceps exercise session (bilateral biceps exercise; 4×1 min at 30% of 1-RM, 2 min recovery) and a control session (without exercise) in a randomized order separated by a 7 to 10-day period. Resting blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability indexes (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, and LF/HF) were measured pre- and up to 30 min post-sessions. Next, ambulatory blood pressure was monitored during 22-hour post-sessions (awake and asleep periods). No significant changes were observed for resting blood pressure, heart rate, or heart rate variability indexes up to 30 min post-sessions (p>0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in average ambulatory blood pressure values in 22-hour (126±11/71±6 mmHg vs. 126±15/71±9 mmHg), awake (127±10/74±6 mmHg vs. 130±14/75±10 mmHg), and asleep (123±15/68±6 mmHg vs. 120±17/66±9 mmHg) periods between the control and isometric sessions, respectively (p>0.05). In conclusion, an isometric biceps exercise session does not elicit an acute antihypertensive effect in adults with hypertension, which suggests that its prescription to improve the acute BP control is limited.

Key words

resistance training - post-exercise hypotension - heart rate


Publication History

Received: 07 October 2020

Accepted: 07 December 2020

Article published online:
22 February 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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