[Effect of exercise duration on the magnitude and duration of post-exercise hypotension]. / A duração do exercício determina a magnitude e a duração da hipotensão pós-exercício.

PURPOSE: Considering that exercise duration may play a role in post-exercise hypotension, we tested the hypothesis that a prolonged submaximal exercise would lead to a greater and longer blood pressure fall after exercise than a shorter exercise bout. METHODS: Experimental protocol-10 subjects were submitted to two cycle ergometer exercise trials (25 and 45 min) at 50% of VO2 peak. Control protocol-12 subjects rested in the sitting position for 45 min. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before (20 min) and after (90 min) rest or exercise bouts. RESULTS: Systolic BP decreased significantly after exercise and this reduction was greater and lasted longer after 45 min of exercise. Mean and diastolic BP decreased after exercise and they were significantly lower during the 45 min session. Control protocol--no change in BP was observed after resting condition. CONCLUSION: A longer exercise bout leads to a greater and longer post-exercise hypotension.

[Heart rate response and its variability during different phases of maximal graded exercise]. / Comportamento da freqüência cardíaca e da sua variabilidade durante as diferentes fases do exercício físico progressivo máximo.

PURPOSE: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been studied at rest as a non-invasive tool for the assessment of cardiac autonomic control and, its attenuation is related to cardiovascular risk. However, during exercise, when important neural changes take place, HRV behaviour is not well established. The aim of this investigation was to study the heart rate (HR) and HRV responses during the different metabolic phases of maximal graded exercise in young men. METHODS: Seventeen men (age 28 +/- 6 years) were submitted to a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test in a cycloergometer (30W/3 min). To study HR and HRV (standard-deviation), the electrocardiographic signal was amplified and acquired beat-to-beat in a computer at a frequency of 125 Hz (AT/Codas). RESULTS: The HR increases concomitantly to the increase in exercise intensity. The HRV was significantly lower than rest values after exercise intensities of 60% of peak exercise oxygen uptake, 45-60% of maximal power and, after anaerobic threshold intensity. CONCLUSION: This results suggest that HRV measured by standard deviation of HR decreases during exercise phases when HR increment is determined mainly due to vagal withdrawal.

A duraçäo do exercício determina a magnitude e a duraçäo da hipotensäo pós-exercício / Exercise duration determines the magnitude and duration of post-exercises hypotension

OBJETIVO - Considerando-se que a duraçÝo do exercício físico possa influenciar a hipotensäo pós-exercício, testamos a hipótese de que o exercício submáximo mais prolongado provoca queda pressória de maior magnitude e duraçäo que o exercício mais curto. MÉTODOS - Protocolo experimental - 10 indivíduos realizaram duas sessöes de exercícios (25 e 45 min) no cicloergômetro em 50 'por cento' VO2 pico. Protocolo controle - 12 indivíduos permaneceram em repouso por 45 min. A pressäo arterial (PA) foi aferida antes (20 min) e após (90 min) o exercício ou o repouso. RESULTADOS - Protocolo experimental - a PA sistólica diminuiu significantemente pós-exercício e essa queda foi maior e mais prolongada após 45 min de exercício. A PA média e a diastólica diminuíram significantemente pós-exercício e foram significantemente menores na sessäo de 45 min. Protocolo controle - a PA näo se alterou durante a sessäo controle. CONCLUSÄO - O exercício físico de maior duraçäo provoca hipotensäo pós-exercício maior e mais prolongada.