Cycling above rather than below lactate threshold is more effective for nitric oxide release and post-exercise blood pressure reduction in individuals with type-2 diabetes

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to analyze and compare the effects of exercise performed in different intensities, above and below lactate threshold (LT) on post-exercise blood pressure (BP) and nitric oxide (NO) responses in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). For this, 11 T2D underwent the following sessions: 1) control session; 2) 20-min of moderate cycling (80% LT); and 3) 20-min of high intensity cycling (120%LT) on a cycle ergometer. Plasma NO and BP measurements were carried out at rest and at 15 and 45 min of post-sessions. When compared to rest, only the exercise session performed at 120%LT elicited an increase of NO (from 7.2 to 9.5 μM, p<0.05), as well as a decrease in systolic BP (from 126.6±7.9 to 118.7±3.9 mmHg, p<0.05) during the post-exercise period. In conclusion, the results suggest that NO release and post-exercise BP decrease are intensity-dependent for individuals with T2D.