Post-exercise hypotension: A systematic review

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the hypotensor effects after an aerobic exercise session in humans. However, many aspects remain unclear concerning post-exercise hypotension (PEH), once many variables can influence on the hypotensor response, such as intensity, duration, type of exercise, clinical status, age, ethnic group, sex and training level. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature, relating the main prescription variables of an aerobic exercise session to PEH, as well as to present the possible mechanisms involved. Fifty-five studies which approached PEH and aerobic exercise in humans have been found. PEH occurrence is well-established in the literature, once many studies have identified reduction in blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive individuals. Nevertheless, the possible modulators of the hypotensive responses, such as intensity and duration of the exercise session, are contradictory yet. Concerning the type of exercise, there are indications that intermittent exercise which uses greater muscular mass may lead to higher PEH. Additionally, hypertensive patients should present greater magnitude and PEH duration. However, there are some gaps regarding the several physiological mechanisms involved, which seem to be different between normotensive and hypertensive individuals.