EFFECTS OF TREADMILL RUNNING AND RESISTANCE
EXERCISES ON LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE DURING
THE DAILY WORK OF HYPERTENSIVE SUBJECTS
MÁRCIO R. MOTA,1,2 EMERSON PARDONO,1 LAILA C. J. LIMA,1 GISELA ARSA,1 MARTIM BOTTARO,3
CARMEN S.G. CAMPBELL,1 AND HERBERT G. SIMÕES1
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1
Laboratory of Physical Activity Assessment and Training, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil;
2
Presidency of Republic of Brazil, Brasilia, Brazil; and 3College of Physical Education and Health Science,
University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Mota, MR, Pardono, E, Lima, LCJ, Arsa, G, Bottaro, M,
Campbell, CSG, and Simões, HG. Effects of treadmill running
and resistance exercises on lowering blood pressure during the
daily work of hypertensive subjects. J Strength Cond Res
23(8): 2331–2338, 2009—The purposes of this study were to
compare the hypotensive effects of treadmill running (TR) and
resistance exercise (RE) performed by hypertensive subjects
and to verify if the hypotensive effects of these exercises are
maintained during a regular white-collar workday. Fifteen white-
collar workers (42.9 6 1.6 years), treated with antihypertensive
medication, accomplished three different sessions: 20 minutes
of TR (;70–80% of heart rate reserve), 20 minutes of circuit
training RE (20 repetitions at 40% of 1 repetition maximum),
and a control session without exercise (CON). The systolic
blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, heart rate, and blood lactate
were measured at resting (Rest) and after sessions at 15th
(R15), 30th (R30), 45th (R45), and 60th (R60) min, as well as
after lunch (AL), four (R4h) and seven (R7h) hours of recovery at
the participants’ workplace. In relation to rest, a higher
decrease of systolic BP after TR (211.1 6 7.6 mm Hg) and
RE (212.6 6 7.3 mm Hg) was observed respectively at the
R30 and R45. For diastolic BP, the highest decreases after TR
(24.0 6 6.4 mm Hg) and RE (29.0 6 7.0 mm Hg) were
observed respectively at the R45 and R30. The systolic BP and
mean BP after TR and RE differed significantly from CON
session (p , 0.05), and lower post-exercise values could be
observed over the workday. In conclusion, both 20 minutes of
TR and RE resulted in postexercise hypotension, and were able to
reduce BP throughout 7 hours after exercise, even throughout the
subject’s regular occupational activities. Also, the RE promoted
Address correspondence to Dr. Herbert Gustavo Simões, hgsimoes@
gmail.com.
23(8)/2331–2338
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Ó 2009 National Strength and Conditioning Association
higher cardiac protection and can be a useful model of physical
exercise prescription for hypertension individuals.
KEY WORDS exercise, postexercise hypotension, aerobic
training, circuit resistance training
INTRODUCTION
T
he prevalence of hypertension in some regions of
Brazil reaches 40% of the population (40). There
are many options for treating hypertension and
preventing risk factors associated with cardiovas-
cular diseases (30), including physical exercise. Both acute
and chronic exercise have been recommended as a non-
pharmacological and less expensive treatment of hyperten-
sion (26,36). An important effect of acute exercise that may
be useful for blood pressure control is a phenomenon called
postexercise hypotension (PEH).
PEH is defined as a reduction in systolic and/or diastolic
blood pressure after a single bout of exercise to values below
those observed during pre-exercise resting. The PEH has
been observed in both hypertensive and normotensive,
young, and elderly individuals (13,16,22). The mechanisms
responsible for PEH remain unclear and may be related to
a reduction in cardiac output (33) and/or in peripheral
vascular resistance (17). The PEH may be associated to
a shift in the barorreflex control and a reduction in the alfa-
adrenergic responsiveness, as well as to an increased secre-
tion of humoral, hormonal, and local substances associated
to vasodilatation in response to exercise (20,28).
Studies have showed that PEH may last for as long
as 2 hours in healthy individuals (23,24,33), with evidence
of the effect of exercise on lowering blood pressure lasting
several hours in hypertensive individuals (34). The magni-
tude and duration of PEH depends on the studied population
(normotensive or hypertensive) (34), the exercise modality
and intensity (15,33), and the exercise duration (23).
Recent investigations have demonstrated that PEH occurs
in response to continuous dynamic exercise (i.e., running
and cycling) (18,21,37), and intermittent exercise sessions
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Postexercise Hypotension During Daily Work
(i.e., resistance exercises) (10,14,25,38). MacDonald et al. (21)
found an attenuated response of blood pressure during daily
living activities performed by hypertensive subjects during the
postexercise period when subjects presented PEH (after 30 min
of cycling at 70% of V̇O2peak). However, it remains unclear if
the PEH would be sustained for prolonged periods of time
under real daily life activities and working conditions. The
effects of exercise modality on these responses are also unclear.
Likewise, we are unaware of any published studies comparing
the effects of treadmill running and resistance exercise sessions,
performed with similar duration, on the hemodynamic
responses of hypertensive individuals during their daily work.
Considering the benefits of exercise in reducing blood
pressure, it was hypothesized that even 20 minutes of
treadmill running as well as 20 minutes of resistance circuit
exercise are able to promote PEH, which can be sustained
during daily working conditions. If confirmed, the results
would support the prescription of resistance exercise for
lowering blood pressure of hypertensive individuals even
during their real daily life activities. Thus, the aims of the
present study were a) to compare the hypotensive effects
of treadmill running and resistance exercise performed by
hypertensive subjects; and b) to verify if the hypotensive
effects of these exercises would be maintained for these
subjects during a regular white-collar workday.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
On different days, and at the same time of day (9:20 AM), the
same volunteers were randomly submitted to two different
exercise sessions and one control session as follows: a) 20
minutes of circuit training resistance exercise, b) 20 minutes
of treadmill running, and c) 20 minutes of a control session
without exercise. An interval of at least 72 hours between
sessions was given to the participants. During these
procedures the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure
were monitored before, during, and after exercise or control
to analyze PEH. In addition, the blood lactate and double
product were obtained to verify metabolic and cardiovascular
stresses, respectively.
Before the first of these three sessions, a one repetition
maximum text and a maximal treadmill graded exercise test
TABLE 1. Participant characteristics (n = 15).*
Body
Weight Age Height BMI Fat SBP DBP Resting HR
(kg) (years) (cm) kg
min2(21) (%) (mm Hg) (mm Hg) (beats
min21) (ml
kg21
min21) (mg
dL21) (mg
dL21)
Mean 81.4 42.9 172.7 26.8 19.6 134.0 84.9
SE 3.9 1.6 2.4 1.0 1.8 3.7 2.8
*BMI = body mass index; SBP = systolic blood pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HR = heart rate.
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2332 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
were assessed on different days. The participants were asked
to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and strenuous physical exercise at
the day before the tests. All exercise sessions were performed
at the workplace exercise room.
Subjects
The local Ethics Committee for Humans Research, which is
associated with the National Ethics Committee in Researches
(CONEP) from Brazil, approved the methods involved in this
study which followed the directions stated by the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)’s policies with regards
to human experimentation. The subjects were informed of
all possible risks and stresses associated to the experimental
procedures and signed a written informed consent prior to
participation. Fifteen (13 men and 2 women) middle-aged
(42.9 6 1.6 years) white-collar workers and with history of
hypertension (2–3 years) volunteered to participate in this
investigation. During previous medical screening, and
accordingly to ACSM’s position stand on blood pressure
(5,32), the participants were classified as hypertensive (stage
1), which is associated to blood pressure values of 140–159
or 90–99 mm Hg for systolic or diastolic, respectively.
The blood pressure of all 15 subjects was controlled
pharmacologically during the entire study. Eight subjects
were taking beta-blockers, and seven subjects were taking
calcium antagonists associated with angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors. Also, personal physicians cleared the
subjects for inclusion in the study. The qualification criteria for
the study included the absence of an acute or terminal illness,
musculoskeletal disease, an unstable cardiovascular condi-
tion, including a recent history of heart failure, arrhythmias,
myocardial infarction and stroke, ischemia or any other
medical contraindication to perform exercise. The subjects’
work activities consisted mainly of administrative duties. The
volunteers work shift was from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with
a 1-hour lunch break. The characteristics of the volunteers
are presented in Table 1. All subjects were considered
physically active (;1.6 year of training; V̇O2peak = 42.8 6 2.6
ml
kg21
min21) by having consistently performed a minimum
of two strength and/or aerobic workout sessions per week
for the previous 1 year.
Total Fasting blood
V̇O2peak cholesterol glucose
77.7 42.8 194.5 91.9
3.2 2.6 7.8 2.5

Procedures
Maximal Treadmill Graded Exercise Test. The maximal heart
rate was determined by a treadmill graded exercise test until
exhaustion. Participants received a verbal overview before
the test. All tests were supervised by a medical doctor. An
electrocardiogram recorded heart rate continuously. Both
the maximal heart rate attained during the test and the
pre-exercise resting heart rate were recorded and used to
calculate the heart rate reserve (HRres) as follows: HRres ¼
maximal heart 2 maximal heart rate (220 – age) – resting heart
rate. In order to accurately prescribe and control the exercise
intensity during the TR session, subjects were not asked to
withdraw the blood pressure medication during this test.
One Repetition Maximum Test. The one repetition maximum
(1RM) test was applied to all exercises used in the resistance
exercise session to obtain the maximal load (kilograms)
against which the individual could perform a correct
(complete) movement (29).
Submaximal Resistance Exercise Session. A circuit model for
resistance exercise (RE) composed by 13 resistance exercises
was applied in this study. The exercises were performed in
the following order: a) leg extension; b) hip adduction; c) hip
abduction; d) bench press; e) leg press; f ) pull-over; g)
standing leg flexion; h) pull-up; i) hip adduction; j) biceps curl;
k) leg press; l) trunk extension; and m) shoulder press. For
each set of exercise, 20 repetitions at 40% of the 1RM test
were performed. The circuit session lasted ;20 minutes. Each
station/exercise was performed in ;60 seconds and the rest
interval between exercises lasted 30 seconds.
Submaximal Treadmill Running Session. The treadmill running
(TR) lasted 20 minutes and was performed with a 1% grade
slope (PRO-Form ex 585–2.5HP, Smithfield, UT, USA). To
attain a target of heart rate corresponding to ;70–80% of
heart rate reserve, the treadmill velocity was adjusted within
the first 5 minutes of exercise. Also, the treadmill velocity and
the heart rate response were monitored continuously during
the exercise.
Control Session. During the control session (CON), blood
pressure and heart rate measurements were obtained at the
same time points of the experimental exercise sessions (RE
and TR) with the participant resting in a seated position.
Body Composition, Blood Cholesterol, and Blood Glucose. In
order to characterize the sample, skinfolds measurements
(Cambridge Scientific Industries, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA)
were used to assess body composition. Three-site skinfolds
measurement equation was used for determining body
density and then the relative body fat was calculated using
the Siri’s formula. Fasting blood glucose was determined by
using a blood glucose analyzer (model 2700 STAT, Yellow
Springs Instruments, Yellow Springs, OH, USA). Blood
cholesterol was determined using a commercially available
kit (Sigma Diagnostics, St. Louis, MO, USA; Table 1).
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Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. For each exercise (TR and RE)
and CON sessions, resting systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean BP,
and heart rate were obtained every 5 minutes during 20
minutes in a seated position and averaged to represent the
resting (Rest) values. Postexercise BP and heart rate were
assessed at the end of each exercise session (R0), and at 15
minutes (R15), 30 minutes (R30), 45 minutes (R45), and 60
minutes (R60) during the first hour of the postexercise
recovery. The BP measurement, immediately after RE or TR
(R0), was obtained through an auscultator method. These
blood pressures and heart rate measurements were also
performed after lunch (AL) between 12:30 and 1:00 PM (;2.5
hours of postexercise recovery), as well as 4 (R4h, 2:00 PM)
and 7 (R7h, 5:00 PM) hours of recovery. The last measure-
ments (AL, R4h, and R7h) were taken at the workplace in
a quietly condition with the participant seated. During
postexercise period, the heart rate (T71 Polar Sport Tester
Monitor, Finland), systolic BP, and diastolic BP (Microlife BP
3AC1, Switzerland) were automatically measured. During
the measurements an apparatus was used to support the arm
in a standard height, perpendicular to the heart.
Blood Lactate and Double Product. With the purpose to
determine the metabolic and cardiovascular stress of each
session (TR, RE, CON), blood lactate concentration was
measured and the double product (double product = heart
rate 3 systolic BP) was calculated. For blood lactate
measurements, a 25-mL blood sample was collected from
the earlobe at rest, and at the same postexercise moments of
the heart rate and BP measurements. Blood lactate
concentration was eletroenzimatically determined (2700
STAT, Yellow Springs Instruments).
Statistical Analysis
Data are presented as mean values 6 SE. PEH within each
session (TR, RE, and CON) was analyzed by a repeated-
measure one-way analysis of variance. Delta variation
(postexercise BP – pre-exercise BP) data were analyzed
using two-factor 3 3 9 repeated measures analysis of variance
[session (TR, RE, and CON) 3 time (Rest, R0, R15, R30,
R45, R60, AL, R4h, and R7h)] for all BP measurements,
where the variable’s scores showed a normal distribution. A
Pearson’s moment correlation was applied to analyze the
relationship between blood lactate and postexercise BP, as
well as between double product and postexercise BP. F ratios
for main effects and interactions were considered significant
at p , 0.05 in all comparisons. Main effect differences were
interpreted using a Tukey’s post-hoc procedure.
RESULTS
Despite being hypertensive, the participants were relatively
fit (V̇O2peak of 42.8 6 2.6 ml
kg21
min21), yet slightly over-
weight (body mass index 26.8 6 1.0 kg
m(2)21). Mean 1RM
loads were: leg extension, 51.9 kg; hip adduction, 60.7 kg; hip
abduction, 62.0 kg; bench press, 47.7 kg; leg press, 123.8 kg;
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Postexercise Hypotension During Daily Work

pull-over, 22.5 kg; standing knee flexion, 4.8 kg; pull-up, 23.1 (F = 19.640–43.900, p , 0.0001). In addition, the results of
kg; biceps curl, 22.3 kg; trunk extension, 67.8 kg; and shoulder delta variation (postexercise minus pre-exercise BP) of
press, 21.5 kg. systolic, diastolic and mean BP were compared among
The maximal heart rate attained during the graded exercise sessions at each postexercise moment and significant differ-
test was 176.3 6 2.0 beats
min21. During the TR experimental ences were also verified (F = 4.418–5.447, p , 0.0001).
protocol mean running velocity was 7.6 6 0.2 km
h21, and In relation to pre-exercise resting, a significant (p , 0.05)
mean running heart rate was 145.7 6 1.9 beats
min21. The PEH of systolic BP was observed after both TR and RE.
heart rate reached during the TR corresponded to 70.7 1 However, the PEH lasted longer after TR than RE (Figure
2.0% of the rate heart reserve and to 80 1 9.1% of the 1a). A significant (p , 0.05) PEH of diastolic BP was
maximal heart rate obtained at the end of graded exercise observed only after RE at the 30th minute of recovery (Figure
test. 1b) while the PEH of mean BP was similar for both TR and
The BP responses during TR, RE, and CON are presented RE (Figure 1c).
in Figure 1a–c. The BP values were compared within In relation to pre-exercise resting, a higher decrease of systolic
treatments (CON, TR, and RE) and significant differences BP after TR (211.1 67.6 mm Hg) and RE (212.6 6 7.3 mm Hg)
were found for systolic BP (F = 26.711–51.658, p , 0.0001), was observed respectively at the R30 and R45. For the delta of
diastolic BP (F = 19.373–27.148, p , 0.0001) and mean BP diastolic BP, the highest decreases after TR (24.0 6 6.4 mm Hg)
and RE (29.0 6 7.0 mm Hg)
were observed respectively at the
R45 and R30. The systolic BP
and mean BP delta variation after
TR and RE differed significantly
from CON session (p , 0.05)
and could be observed over the
workday (Figure 1a, b).
The lowering effect on systolic
BP lasted at least 7 hours after TR
(124.8 6 14.4 mm Hg) and RE
(128.4 6 13.0 mm Hg) when
compared to CON session (137.4
6 13.6 mm Hg; Figure 1a). In
relation to CON, the diastolic
BP was significantly lowered (p
, 0.05) after TR only at the R15
and after RE at the R15 and R60
(Figure 1b). However, the mean
BP values were lowered after TR
and RE for at least 7 hours and 4
hours, respectively (Figure 1c).
The blood lactate during the
TR (5.0 6 0.7 mmol
L21), RE
(8.8 6 0.6 mmol
L21), and
CON (1
3 6 0.1 mmol
L21)
differed significantly from each
other (p , 0.05), indicating
a higher metabolic stress for
the RE session. The double
product reached on the TR
(22,453 6 552 mm Hg
min21),
RE (15,443 6 589 mm
Hg
min21) and CON (8,693 6
383.4 mm Hg
min21) also dif-
Figure 1. a) Systolic blood pressure. b) Diastolic blood pressure. c) Mean blood pressure. Measurements were fered from each other (p ,
taken during rest, at the end of 20 minutes of exercise (R0), and during the postexercise recovery for treadmill
running (TR), resistance exercise (RE) and control session (CON). n = 15. Data are mean (SE). *p , 0.05 vs. rest. 0.05), suggesting a higher car-
+p , 0.05 CON vs. TR. #p , 0.05 CON vs. RE. 6¼p , 0.05 RE vs. TR. diovascular stress for the TR in
relation to RE (Figure 2).
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2334 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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of the CON session during at

least 7 hours after the exercises,
even during occupational activ-
ities(Figure 1a–c). Despite a sim-
ilar PEH of systolic BP and
mean BP, the PEH of diastolic
BP was observed only at the
15th minute of recovery after
the RE session, but not after
the TR.
The reductions in blood pres-
sure levels after a single exercise
session is in agreement to the
results obtained by other studies
in which PEH after aerobic
(i.e., treadmill or cycle ergome-
ter) and resistance exercises,
for normotensive and hyper-
tensive subjects was observed
(6,10,14,15,17,21,23,24). How-
ever, the main contribution
was the demonstration that the
decreased blood pressure in-
duced by exercise may represent
a protective mechanism for the
cardiovascular system during
real daily living activities, once
blood pressure levels remained
below those of the control
session until the end of the work
Figure 2. Mean peak blood lactate (a) and double product (b) at the end of treadmill running (TR), resistance
exercise (RE) and control session (CON). #p , 0.05 vs. RE and CON. *p , 0.05 vs. CON. shift (R7h; Figure 1a–c).
During the CON session, the
participants’ BP rose from
The Pearson’s moment correlation showed a moderate but 126.4/80.0 mm Hg at rest to 137.4/85.0 mm Hg at the end
significant correlation between blood lactate level at the end of the work shift. However, after TR or RE sessions, the BP
of RE (R0) and the delta of systolic BP decrease at the 30th remained below the CON and an increase in BP was also
minute (r = 20.515) and 45th minute (r = 20.541) of observed over the day period despite previous exercise. This
postexercise recovery. The blood lactate levels were also increase in BP may be due to the higher activity of the
negatively correlated (r = 20.535) to the delta of mean BP sympathetic nervous system and the higher levels of
decrease at the 45th minute of recovery. No significant catecholamines observed at the end of the afternoon, as
correlation was observed between blood lactate at the end of evidenced by Linsell et al. (19) and Park et al. (31). Another
TR and BP for any time of postexercise recovery from this possible explanation for the higher BP observed at the
session. Also, no significant correlation was found between end of the workday may be due to the stress of working. In
double product at the end of both TR and RE to the systolic fact, there is evidence that employees have an increased BP
BP, diastolic BP, and mean BP delta variation. and thus higher day-night BP differences as compared to
unemployed individuals (35). Thus, despite any influence of
DISCUSSION the circadian cycle, it became clear from the present study
The present study analyzed the effects of treadmill running and that 20 minutes of either TR or RE were able to attenuate the
resistance exercise, both with 20-minute duration, on BP subjects’ BP over the workday.
responses during 7 hours of postexercise recovery at a free-living The hypotensive effects of aerobic exercise have been more
workday in hypertensive subjects. The main findings were that intensively studied and documented than those of resistance
a PEH was observed after both TR and RE, and lasted for at least exercise. Hagberg et al. (16) observed systolic BP PEH lasting
1 hour after RE and ;2.5 hours after TR. However, when for 2 hours and diastolic BP PEH lasting for 1 hour and 15
compared to the control session, the results suggested that the minutes on hypertensive subjects, after 45 minutes of running
exercise sessions evoked significant lower BP values than those at 70% V̇O2max. In the present study, the PEH was observed

VOLUME 23 | NUMBER 8 | NOVEMBER 2009 | 2335

Postexercise Hypotension During Daily Work
after only 20 minutes of aerobic exercise using a similar
intensity (70–80% of the heart rate reserve). In comparison to
the values obtained after resistance exercise, the treadmill
running promoted a decrease in systolic BP that lasted
longer, confirming the results of other studies (12,23,25).
However, despite of producing PEH of higher duration for
systolic BP, the treadmill running did not yielded any PEH of
diastolic BP in relation to pre-exercise values (Figure 1b). The
PEH of diastolic BP was observed only after resistance
exercises (R15), with a lowering effect lasting 45 minutes after
RE in relation to CON.
The results of the blood lactate response suggest a higher
metabolic stress for RE. On the other hand, the aerobic
exercise (TR) resulted in a higher double product suggesting
an elevated cardiovascular stress in relation to RE (Figure 2).
Thus, the mechanisms of PEH induction on those sessions
may be different. The significant correlation between blood
lactate after RE and BP decrease during postexercise
recovery is in accordance to Crisafulli et al. (9), who verified
a relationship between blood lactate accumulation and the
decrease of the systemic vascular resistance and BP after
exercise in athletes. Therefore, the metabolic stress of RE
(i.e., higher blood lactate) may have a relationship to blood
pressure reduction after this session.
The PEH observed after a single exercise session on
the present study confirmed the results of other studies in
normotensive subjects (4,10,11,14,15,24,37,38). Investigating
the effects of resistance exercise in normotensive and
hypertensive women, Fisher (11) verified a similar decrease
in blood pressure after exercise for both groups. Similarly,
Brown et al. (4) verified that 25 minutes of arm ergometry
exercise, as well as resistance exercise sessions at 40% and
70% of 1RM, elicited the same hypotensive effect. These
results corroborate with the findings of the present study,
where 20 minutes of different exercise modes resulted in
a similar PEH response.
The acute reductions on resting systolic BP between 9 and
13 mm Hg reported in the present study during exercise
recovery in relation to CON (Figure 1a) are comparable to
those elicited by chronic exercise program as presented by
Cornelissen and Fagard (8). The reductions on resting blood
pressure are relevant once hypertensive adults (45–47 years)
present 3.9 times more chances to have a stroke (3). Also,
a decrease of 10–12 mm Hg in systolic BP and 5–6 mm Hg in
diastolic BP may reduce in ;38% this risk (7). It is possible to
say that exercising in the morning to late morning may be
particularly beneficial since exercise-induced hypotension
blunts afternoon rises in blood pressure.
During all experimental sessions, eight participants were
using beta-blockers agents, while seven were under treatment
with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors alone
or in association to calcium-channel blockers. Both the TR
(;70% of the predicted heart rate reserve or ;80% heart rate
reserve from maximal graded exercise test) and the RE circuit
sessions (20 repetitions at 40% of 1RM) were prescribed in
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2336 Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
accordance to guidelines for hypertensive subjects (1,2). Since
the medications intake was the same in all experimental
sessions, both the 1-hour PEH (i.e., BP reduction in relation
to pre-exercise resting), as well as the 7-hour lowering effect
on BP (i.e., a reduction observed in relation to control
session) may be due to the exercise intervention. Moreover,
Wilcox et al. (39) reported that exercise associated to
medications, such as beta-blockers, did not impair PEH. In
addition, more recently (27) it was verified in hypertensive
women receiving captopril (i.e., ACE inhibitor) that a single
bout of low-intensity resistance exercise induces similar PEH
to other studies without medication. Since PEH is a phe-
nomenon that has been considered clinically useful as
a nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension and also
occurs even under medication use, additional studies are
necessary for a better comprehension about the interactions
between exercise and antihypertensive medications.
The evidence of a protective effect of a single exercise session
(treadmill running or resistance exercise) on the cardiovascular
system of hypertensive subjects throughout their workday
indicates that it is important to encourage physical exercise
practicing to prevent or treat hypertension. Exercise inter-
ventions performed at the workplace, even for only 20 minutes
as presented on this study, may also bring other important
benefits such as an improvement in the quality of life and
survival expectancy of hypertensive individuals, besides
reducing the costs related to the treatment of hypertension.
In conclusion, when compared to pre-exercise resting, both
20 minutes of treadmill running and 20 minutes of resistance
exercises resulted in PEH. However, the running exercise
resulted in a longer PEH for SBP, while the hypotensive effect
on DBP was observed only after resistance exercise, probably
due to the higher metabolic stress. When compared to the
control day without exercise, both exercise sessions yielded
a significant reduction in blood pressure throughout 7 hours
after exercise, even while the subjects maintained their regular
occupational activities.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The results from this study raise the possibility that just 20
minutes of acute exercise promotes postexercise hypotension
(PEH) for a group of middle-aged (42.9 6 1.6 years) with
previous medical screening, and with history (2–3 years) of
stage 1 hypertension. These exercise modes may be able to
promote PEH to persons in the same history of hemody-
namic conditions.
The PEH observed by these session models allowed the
reduction in blood pressure throughout 7 hours after exercise,
even with regular occupational activities. This phenomenon
may contribute to reducing the use of medications, increasing
longevity, and preventing risk factors associated to cardio-
vascular diseases. Also, these exercises seem to be a recom-
mended nonpharmacological and less expensive treatment of
hypertension. The benefits of PHE may be optimized if two

exercise sessions were conduced in the same day (during the
morning and at the end of the afternoon).
Finally, 20 minutes of circuit model of resistance exercise,
using 13 exercises with 20 repetitions at 40% 1RM, promoted
minor cardiovascular stress compared to treadmill running,
and consequently higher cardiac protection. These results
suggest that circuit resistance training may be an excellent and
useful model for physical exercise prescription for hyperten-
sive individuals. However, further research will be required to
confirm all these applications, and to verify PEH in other
resistance exercise intensities.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Coordenacxão de Aperfeicxoamento de
Pessoal de Nı́vel Superior, the Presidency of Republic of
Brazil, Salvapé, and Micromed. This research was partially
supported by a grant from Coordenacxão de Aperfeicxoamento
de Pessoal de Nı́vel Superior.
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2. Baster, T and Baster-Brooks, C. Exercise and hypertension. Aust Fam
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