INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a morbid condition present in most adults. Studies show that exercise of moderate intensity and short duration has satisfactory effects on lowering blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: To measure the duration of the hypotensive effect of a single session of cardiac rehabilitation, through aerobic exercise of short duration and moderate intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was prospective and quasi-experimental. Study participants were nine hypertensive and sedentary volunteers (five female and four male), monitored by examining measured ambulatory blood pressure for 12 hours and 30 minutes. We performed a single session of aerobic training for ten minutes on a stationary bicycle at a moderate intensity. RESULTS: There was a reduction in both SBP (systolic blood pressure) and DBP (diastolic blood pressure) (ANOVA, p < 0.001) during the 12 hours of study. CONCLUSION: One session of short duration exercise at moderate intensity was sufficient to reduce blood pressure levels of the volunteers studied for a period of 12 hours.
Aerobic training; Hypotension; Blood pressure
