BACKGROUND: There are few studies on post-resistance exercise hypotension in hypertensive older females. PURPOSE: To verify the acute systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) response after a resistance exercise session performed by hypertensive elderly subjects with and without experience in resistance training. METHODS: Fifteen elderly women (66 ± 4 yrs; 63.9 ± 9.1 kg; 1.6 ± 0.1 m) were divided in trained group (TG; n = 6) and non-trained group (NTG; n = 9). The sample performed a control session (CS - seated during 40 min) and experimental session (ES - seven resistance exercises; two sets; 10-15 RM). Blood pressure was assessed by auscultation after 10 min at rest (pre-exercise) and every 15 min during 60 min post-exercise. RESULTS: No difference was identified between groups at rest. The analysis of variance showed drop to SBP at 30 min after exercises (P = 0.03) in ES and no difference for CS. NTG showed drop to SBP (P<0.001) and MBP (P<0.01) at 15, 30, 45 e 60 min post-exercise, and DBP (P = 0.02) at 15º and 30º min in ES. In the CS, SBP (P = 0.006) and MBP (P = 0.04) were higher than rest at 15, 45 and 60 min. CONCLUSION: A single resistance exercise session can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive elderly women, especially in a non-trained group.
post-exercise hypotension; aging; strength training
