EFFECT OF EXERCISE AND

POSTURE ON BLOOD
PRESSURE
 EFFECT OF POSTURE ON BLOOD
PRESSURE
AIM: To determine effect of posture on blood pressure.
PRINCIPLE: On resuming an erect posture, changes occur in
cardiovascular function. The change in heart rate and blood
pressure is noted
Immediately
Two minutes
Five minutes
Ten minutes of standing.
These changes are compared with the heart rate and blood
pressure recorded in the supine position prior to the change
in posture.
REQUIREMENTS
Sphygmomanometer
stethoscope
 PRECAUTIONS
• The subject should relax for 5 minutes before
recording blood pressure and pulse rate in the
supine position.
•
Pulse rate and blood pressure should be recorded as
soon as the subjects stands up (within 15 seconds if
possible).
•
The BP cuff should not be removed while changing
the posture of the subject.
•
The subject should stand passively leaning against
the wall.
 PROCEDURE
• Ask the subject to lie down in the supine position on the couch,
minimum for 5 minutes.
•
Tie the BP cuff properly at the proper position of the arm of the
subject.
•
Record blood pressure and pulse rate in the supine position.
•
Do not remove the BP cuff; ask the subject to standup, and
immediately record the pulse rate and blood pressure of the
subject.
•
Record pulse rate and blood pressure in two, five and ten minutes
after standing.
•
Calculate pulse pressure, mean pressure.
•
Enter the observation in a tabular form.
 OBSERVATION AND INFERENCE
POSTURE PR SBP DBP PP MAP

SUPINE
(After 5 min)

STANDING
• Immediately
• After 2 min
• After 5 min
• After 10 min
 PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
• A change in posture initiates changes in
cardiovascular function.
• These changes reflect the integrity of the
autonomous nervous system, because the
compensatory mechanisms are dependent on the
intactness of the reflex activities, especially the
baroreceptor reflex. Therefore, the heart rate and
blood pressure response to standing is among the
important tests to assess autonomic functions.
 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
• POSTURAL HYPOTENSION: In some
individuals sudden standing causes a
significant fall in blood pressure ;systolic bp >
than 20mmhg diastolic bp> 10mmhg, which
results in fainting.This is also known as
orthostatic hypotension.
• It is usually seen in diabetes and syphilis.
 EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON BLOOD
PRESSURE
• AIM: To determine the effect of exercise on blood
pressure.
• PRINCIPLE: Cardiovascular functions alter during
exercise.
Pulse rate and blood pressure are recorded before
and immediately after the exercise.
The results are compared to study the effect of
exercise on these parameters.
• REQUIREMENTS
1. Stethoscope
2. Sphygmomanometer
 PROCEDURE
Record the blood pressure and the pulse rate of the given subject
after 5 minutes of rest.

MILD EXERCISE
Ask the subject to perform brisk walk for a period of 5 minutes.
Record the pulse rate and blood pressure immediately, 2, 4, 6, and
10 minutes after the exercise.

MODERATE EXERCISE
Ask the subject to perform spot jogging for a period of 5 minutes.
Record the pulse rate and blood pressure immediately, 2, 4, 6, and
10 minutes after the exercise.

SEVERE EXERCISE
Ask the subject to perform running for a period of 5 minutes.
Record the pulse rate and blood pressure immediately, 2, 4, 6, 8
and 10 minutes after the exercise.
 OBSERVATION
Pulse Systolic Bp Diastolic Bp Pulse Mean
Rate Pressure Arterial
Pressure
BASAL(before
exercise)
MILD EXERCISE
1.Immediately
2.Two min
3.Four min
4.Six min
5.Ten min

• Heart rate returned to resting/basal level after ………..minutes.

• Blood presssure returned to resting/basal level after……..minutes.
 OBSERVATION
Pulse Systolic Bp Diastolic Bp Pulse Mean
Rate Pressure Arterial
Pressure
BASAL(before
exercise)
MODERATE
EXERCISE
1.Immediately
2.Two min
3.Four min
4.Six min
5.Ten min

• Heart rate returned to resting/basal level after ………..minutes.

• Blood presssure returned to resting/basal level after……..minutes.
 OBSERVATION
Pulse Rate Systolic Bp Diastolic Bp Pulse Mean
Pressure Arterial
Pressure
BASAL(before
exercise)
SEVERE
EXERCISE
1.Immediately
2.Two min
3.Four min
4.Six min
5.Ten min

• Heart rate returned to resting/basal after ………minutes.

• Blood pressure returned to resting/basal after…….minutes.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
• What are the various types ofexercises?
Isotonic exerciseIn isotonic exercise, there is a
change in muscle length and the exercise is
phasic in nature. Common examples are walking,
jogging and running.
Isometric exercise is the exercise in which there
is no change in the length of the muscles. The
exercising muscle remains contracted throughout
the maneuver
e.g. pushing against the wall.
• What are the cardiovascular responses to acute exercise?
Heart rate increases and the degree of increase depends on the
severity of the exercise
Cardiac output There occurs a marked increase in
cardiac output. Increase in cardiac output is due to increase in
heart rate and stroke volume.
Systolic pressure rises markedly. This occurs due to increased
cardiac output.
Diastolic pressure may remain unchanged or may fall. This
occurs due to decreased peripheral resistance, which is due to
vasodilation in the exercising muscle.
• Why does heart rate take more time than blood
pressure to come back to normal level following
exercise?
Ans: Heart rate increases in exercise due to increased
sympathetic activity. Sympathetic activity takes time to
return
to normal, therefore the heart normalises slowly. BP
returns to normal in 5- 7 minutes due to muscle
relaxation
with stoppage ofexercise that produces vasodilation.
What are the effects of exercise on the respiratory
system?
There is hyperventilation and increased oxygen
supply to the tissues.
Hyperventilation also removes excess CO2 and heat
produced by the active tissues.
Respiratory minute volume increases linearly with
work rate.
Pulmonary blood·flow increases and this increases
perfusion ofalveoli.