Efecto agudo de ejercicio isométrico sobre la presión arterial en adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad

There is little evidence on the acute effect of isometric exercise on blood pressure in overweight and obese adolescents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute response of systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and heart rate recovery (HRR) after a session of high-volume and low-volume isometric exercise in two physical education classes in overweight adolescents. A quasi-experimental study design with pre and post-test was utilized. Twelve men, 17 ± 0.7 years, body mass index (BMI) 30 ± 4.8, performed a low volume IE session (BV) of 1 series of 10 exercises of 10 seconds duration and a high volume IE session (VA) of 1 series of 10 exercises of 15 seconds duration on non-consecutive days. Both protocols used 10 seconds of rest between exercises. The SBP, DBP and HRR were recorded before and after both L-V and H-V interventions immediately after exercise and every 10 minutes until completing 60 minutes. The SBP was only significantly reduced after the IE of L-V (p ≤ 0.05) in -7 ± 2.8, -9.6 ± 2.9, -6.5 ± 2.5 and -5.3 ± 1, 6 mmHg at 10, 40, 50 and 60 minutes post-exercise respectively. Regarding the changes in HRR, the BV group presented a greater recovery compared to the AV group (p ≤ 0.005) immediately and at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes after exercise. No significant differences were observed for the rest of the variables measured. In conclusion, a L-V IE session reduces SBP and this response is maintained for at least 60 minutes after exercise without altering HRR in physically inactive adolescents with overweight and obesity.