Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is linked to long-term reductions in blood pressure (BP), making it an important consideration for the non-pharmaceutical management of hypertension. However, the impact of hypoxic exercise on PEH remains unclear. This ...
Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is linked to long-term reductions in blood pressure (BP), making it an important consideration for the non-pharmaceutical management of hypertension. However, the impact of hypoxic exercise on PEH remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise under a hypoxic condition (FiO2: 14.9%) on the magnitude of PEH and to determine whether hypoxia elicits an additive BP- lowering effect compared to exercise in a normoxic environment. Using a crossover design, 20 sedentary men completed exercise sessions under three conditions: hypoxic exercise (HYP) at 50% of peak power output (PPO), normoxic exercise (NOR) with the same mechanical intensity (50% of PPO) as HYP, and normoxic exercise (HRM) with physiological intensity (heart rate; HR) matched to the HYP condition. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze variables measured during the workout, whereas variables measured before and after the workout were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. During exercise, HYP and HRM elicited higher HR, oxygen consumption, and ventilation responses compared to NOR (p < 0.05). Among the conditions, HYP exhibited the lowest ventilation efficiency (p < 0.01) and the most severe systemic and muscle hypoxemia (p < 0.01). Notably, only HYP resulted in significant PEH (Mean Arterial Pressure: -6.9 mmHg at 15 min after exercise; p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase in the diameter of the common femoral artery was observed at all recovery time points in HYP (p < 0.05) and at 15 min after exercise in HRM (p < 0.01). No significant interactions were observed in flow velocity, blood flow, or vascular conductance. These findings suggest that hypoxic exercise significantly enhances post- exercise vasodilation, subsequently leading to greater PEH, emphasizing its efficacy in managing hypertension with reduced mechanical stress.