Hemodynamic during resistance exercise sets and rest intervals in young and elderly men

Intense blood pressure (BP) elevations during resistance exercise (RE) could lead to risk of acute cardiovascular events. Since, the natural aging process contribute to rest and exercise elevations in BP, higher BP elevations following RE could be expected in older individuals. However, previous studies have shown contradictory findings which are likely due to the time of BP assessment following exercise. Thus, we compared BP changes after each set and rest interval in young and older men. Sixteen men (8 each group) underwent four sets until fatigue at leg press equipment with high load (80% 1RM). BP was assessed, by finger photoplethysmography and the other cardiovascular measurements were estimated based on individual characteristics. Systolic BP (SBP) and mean BP (MBP) increased more in older men at first sets; heart rate (HR) increased more in young during all sets and rest intervals; cardiac output (CO) maintained higher all the time in young; and total peripheral resistance (TPR) increased more during all sets in older men. Thus, the present study shows that RE performed to fatigue leads to higher BP increase in older men suggesting BP might be monitored during RE for safety reasons especially on this higher risk population.