ACUTE EXERCISE AND POSTEXERCISE BLOOD PRESSURE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

Background—Limited data suggest that physical activity increases postexercise blood pressure in African-American women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postexercise blood pressure response to acute exercise in normotensive young adult African-American women. Methods—Eight healthy women (age 22.5±.9 years) performed a cycle ergometer bout of 30 minutes at 60% of peak ventilatory oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). Control arterial blood pressure, heart rate, lower leg blood flow, cardiac output, spectral analysis of blood pressure, heart rate variability, and baroreceptor sensitivity were measured for 5 minutes before exercise and were compared to post-exercise measurements performed at rest intervals of 15–20, 35–40 and 55–60 minutes after exercise. Results—Exercise performed at 60% VO2 peak produced an arterial pressure of 172±10/70.1±4.0 mm Hg. Postexercise recovery values were not significantly different than the baseline control values. Conclusion—These results do not support the hypothesis that acute physical activity exerts an adverse effect on postexercise blood pressure in African American women.