OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the number of sets on cardiovascular changes and heart rate variability (HRV) in resistance exercise (RE) recovery period in physically active men. METHODS: The sample was composed of 13 (27.38 ± 1.59 years) normotensive men, practitioners of RE. Two RE routines were performed: routine 1 (R1) consisted of two sets of 10RM with 1 minute between sets and 2 minutes between exercises; and routine 2 (R2) was similar to R1; however, with three sets of each exercise. Blood pressure (BP), pulse interval (PI) and HRV were measured at rest and during recovery (60 minutes) from the RE. RESULTS: RE induced reduction in systolic BP after R1 (pre: 119.4 ± 1.70 vs. post: 110.8 ± 1.80 mmHg) and R2 (pre: 121.6 ± 2.20 vs. post: 110 3 ± 1.11 mmHg). However, diastolic BP (pre: 71.2 ± 1.80 vs. post: 64.3 ± 2.40 mmHg) and mean BP (pre: 88.0 ± 1.60 vs. post: 80.7 ± 1.60 mmHg) reduced only after the R2, and heart rate (HR) was increased at this time. The R2 promoted variance of PI reduction in the recovery when compared to the R1. Furthermore, only the R2 induced increase in low frequency band and reduction in high frequency band of PI compared to rest values. CONCLUSION: BP reduction was associated with higher number of sets, but not with reduction in HR and/or cardiac sympathetic modulation in RE practitioners.
resistance training; post-exercise hypotension; heart rate control
