Haemodynamic responses during resistance exercise with blood flow restriction in hypertensive subjects.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare haemodynamic responses during resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) in hypertensive women.

METHODS

Twelve hypertensive women undertook three random experimental sessions in the leg-press exercise: (i) Three sets, eight repetitions, 20% of one-repetition maximum (1 RM), with BFR; (ii) Three sets, 15 repetitions, 65% of 1 RM, without BFR; and (iii) three sets, 15 repetitions, 20% of 1 RM, without BFR. The BFR was performed using two sphygmomanometers adjusted to fit both thighs. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured on a beat-to-beat continuous basis.

RESULTS

When compared to the 20% without BFR, the session with BFR presented increased values in all sets for the variables SBP, DBP, CO and SVR, and in the 2nd and 3rd sets for HR. The session with BFR also presented increased values compared to the 65% of 1 RM in the 2nd and 3rd sets for the variables SBP, DBP and HR and in all sets for the variables CO and SVR.

CONCLUSION

Low-intensity resistance exercise with BFR can initiate higher haemodynamic and cardiovascular values than traditional high-intensity resistance exercises in hypertensive women.