OBJECTIVE: To assess the cardiovascular responses after resistance exercise performed in different work manners and volume. METHODS: Ten healthy men randomly performed sessions with eight exercises (18 repetitions and 40% of 1RM) and one control session on different days.The exercise sessions were performed with one set in circuit (1CIRC), three sets in circuit (3CIRC), one set of conventional pattern (1CONV) and three sets of conventional pattern (3CONV). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored for a period of one hour after the sessions. RESULTS: Considering the average obtained during the 60-min monitoring period, concerning the systolic BP, only the 3CIRC session (-9.4 ± 3.0 mmHg; P = 0.02) caused reduction in the control session. Regarding diastolic BP, the 1CIRC (-5.7 ± 1.8 mmHg; P = 0.005), 3CIRC (-8.4 ± 1.6 mmHg, P = 0.0002) and 3CONV sessions (-8.6 ± 2.2 mmHg; P = 0.0001) caused reduction concerning the control session. Similarly, mean arterial pressure was reduced compared to control after 1CIRC (-5.0 ± 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.02), 3CIRC (-8.7 ± 1.6 mmHg, P = 0.0002) and 3CONV sessions (-7.9 ± 1.9 mmHg, P = 0.0006). Concerning HR, it was also higher in the 1CONV (P = 0.001) and 3CONV sessions (P = 0.04) after the 3CIRC session. The LF/HF component of the HRV was higher in relation to control session after the 3CIRC session. CONCLUSION: The sessions involving larger volume caused BP reduction in a similar manner. However, the 3CIRC session caused higher post-exercise cardiac effort.
resistance exercise; blood pressure; post-exercise hypotension
