Note: [] Address for correspondence: M. Lamotte, Cardiology Department,
1^E, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussel, 808 Lennik
Road, 1070 Brussel, Belgium. Tel.: +32 2 5556962; Fax: +32 2 5554609; E-mail:
mlamotte@ulb.ac.be
Abstract: Background: Resistive training has been introduced in exercise
programs to improve the results of traditional rehabilitation. Changes in blood
pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during resistive have mainly been measured
out of the rehabilitation context, using discontinuous monitoring of BP, while
exercising small muscular mass during isometric exercise or low intensity
contraction. Method: The BP and HR responses to low, moderate and high intensity
resistive training were continuously assessed in 21 healthy subjects. The total
amount of work was the same for the three modalities, hence the number of
repetition was inversely related to exercise intensity. Results: Blood pressure and HR increased from set 1 to set 3 for all
3 training modalities and were highest, intermediate and lowest during low,
moderate and high intensity training respectively (all p<0.001). Conclusions: BP and HR changes during resistive training are related
principally to exercise duration. Short sets using heavy weights is preferable
to limit BP and HR rises.
Keywords: Hemodynamics, blood pressure, resistive exercise, strength training
