Effects of cycling bouts performed with different intensities and amounts of energy expended on central pressure and pulse wave reflection in normotensive and hypertensive men

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated pulse wave analysis in normotensive and hypertensive men after cycling bouts with different intensities and amounts of energy expended. Methods: Twenty-four men were assigned into normotensive [n=14; age:40.7±2.8yr; 24-h ambulatory systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP):121±2/74±1mmHg] and hypertensive [n=10; age:39.2±2.3yr; 24-h ambulatory SBP/DBP:139±3/86±2mmHg] groups. Participants undertook a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, a non-exercise control session (CTL), and three cycling bouts [two prolonged bouts expending 300 kcal at 50% (i.e. P-MOD) and 70% (i.e. P-VIG) oxygen uptake reserve (VO2R) and one short bout expending 150 kcal at 50% VO2R (i.e. S-MOD)] performed in a randomized order. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), pulse pressure (cPP), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), heart rate (HR), and AIx adjusted for HR (AIx@75) were determined 10 min before, and 30-and 70-min post-intervention. Results: Compared to CTL, only the P-VIG changed the cSBP [70-min (∆ -11.7mmHg)], cPP [70-min (∆:-7.4mmHg)], AP [30-min (∆:-5.7mmHg); 70-min (∆:-7.3mmHg)], AIx [30-min (∆:-15.3 %); 70-min (∆:-16.4 %)], AIx@75 [30-min (∆:-12.8 %); 70-min (∆:-13.9 %)], and HR [70-min (∆:9.9bpm)] in hypertensive group. However, all exercise bouts mitigated the increased cSBP responses post-CTL in the hypertensive group. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise reduces acute central pressure and pulse wave reflection in hypertensive men.