The effect of exercise episode duration on blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect on blood pressure for 10-min compared with 40-min episodes of physical activity for 4 days.


METHODS
The design used a randomized crossover trial of two exercise episode durations, involving 17 subjects, which were performed in a university setting. The intervention was exercise on a stationary bicycle for four consecutive days, at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (determined by heart rate), for episode durations of 10 or 40 min. A rest period of 10 days followed before exercise for the alternative duration was performed. The main outcome measure was blinded assessment of blood pressure 24 h after the last exercise episode.


RESULTS
Significant reductions were found in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 4 days of 40 min but not after 4 days of 10 min stationary cycling. The reduction in blood pressure was significant for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure for 4 days of 40 min of exercise episodes.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise of moderate intensity on a stationary bicycle for 10 min for 4 days is not effective in lowering blood pressure in comparison with the same exercise for 40 min for 4 days. The experimental design employed in the present study has potential for monitoring the effects of exercise on blood pressure.
Arroll
B
B
Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Hill
D
D
White
G
G
Sharpe
N
N
Beaglehole
R
R
D001794:Blood Pressure; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors