Hypotensive effects of exercise performed around anaerobic threshold in type 2 diabetic patients

Aim: To verify the occurrence of post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in type 2 diabetics (DM2) and the effects of exercise intensity on post-exercise blood pressure (BP). Methods: Eleven men and women with DM2 (58.5 +/- 10.2 years; 160 +/- 0.1 cm; 80.6 +/- 13.5 kg; 31.2 +/- 3.8 kg/m(2), 19 +/- 3.2 mL kg min(-1) of VO2 (max), 155.0 +/- 39.2 mg dL(-1) of fasting blood glucose and 126 +/- 10/75 +/- 7 mmHg of resting BP) performed an incremental test (IT) for cardiovascular evaluation and anaerobic threshold (AT) determination. Then, participants randomly underwent 2 exercise sessions (90% and 110% AT) and a control session (CON). In all sessions, BP was measured at resting, during 20 min of exercise/control and at each 15 min through 120 min of post-exercise recovery (R15-R120). Results: The mean results of systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) over the 120 min of recovery were 125 +/- 16/76 +/- 7 mmHg, 122 +/- 13/75 +/- 6 mmHg and 129 +/- 16/78 +/- 7 mmHg, respectively for 90%, 110% and CON. Significant reductions of SBP occurred after 90% (R15-R45) and 110% (R15-R90), while only after 110% there were reductions of DBP (R15, R45) and MAP (R15, R45, R75, R90, R105). Conclusions: Both exercise intensities evoked reductions in SBP while DBP and MAP were reduced only after 110%. Despite the higher intensity exercise to be more effective in promoting BP reductions, we suggest caution while prescribing exercise for DM2. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.