The acute effect of the execution order of resistance training exercises on blood pressure in university students

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the order of execution of resistance training exercises (RT) on the resting blood pressure (BP) in normotensive young students. Methods: Volunteers were 14 healthy males (Mean age = 23.3 ± 1.4 yr.) who were familiar to resistance training exercises. Experimental conditions were randomized to participants: a) RT training starting with large muscle groups and ending with small muscles (L-S), b) RT starting with small muscle groups and ending with large muscles (S-L), and c) a control condition (no exercise). Volunteers performed each of the three experimental conditions with 48-h difference. The RT routine consisted of eight exercises performed at 60% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured before exercise, immediately following exercise, and every 10-min for 60-min. Results: A two-way repeated measured ANOVA showed a significant decrease on SBP 30-min following exercise in the L-S and the S-L experimental conditions compared to the control condition (p≤ 0.001); however, the magnitude of the decrease was greater in the L-S condition after 30-min rest (M = 106.9 ± 5.9 mmHg) in comparison with S-L (M = 103.7 ± 8.0 mmHg) (p < 0.05). No significant interaction or main effects were found on DBP (p = 0.39). Conclusions: An immediate SBP reduction (i.e., hypotensive effect) is achieved in university students regardless of the order of muscles performing the RT exercises. DBP did not show a significant reduction following RT exercises.