Resistance Training and Post-exercise Blood Pressure in Normotensive Older Women

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training on post-exercise blood pressure (BP) and to to correlate the acute and chronic decrease in blood pressure (BP) following resistance training in normotensive older women. Twenty-eight older women were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) or to a control group (CG). The TG underwent a resistance training program (8 exercises, 2 sets, 10-15 repetitions), while the CG performed stretching exercises (2 sets, 20 s each, 2 nonconsecutive days/week). Both groups performed the intervention for 12 weeks. At baseline and after intervention the subjects were submitted to two sessions: resistance exercise session and control session. In these sessions, BP was obtained in pre and post-sessions. Rest blood pressure were also measure at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention.