Waist Circumference as a Potential Predictor of Post-Exercise Hypotension Response in College-Aged Subjects: A Pilot Study

Authors

Kaitlyn Wabakken, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Cody Takenaka, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Branden Gallardo, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Kayley Brennan, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Maribell Maldonado, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Josh Aguilera, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Makenna PetersenFollow
Michael SwiftFollow
Zachary ZeiglerFollow

Abstract

Roughly 25% of people who exercise to lower blood pressure (BP) do not see a BP reduction following exercise training. Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) has been shown to predict training exercise responses. Past data is inconclusive as to whether or not BMI influences PEH. PURPOSE: This pilot study will determine whether anthropometric and body composition variables differ between PEH responders and non-responders in college-aged subjects. METHODS: Men and women aged 18-30 yr. completed an initial 30-minute moderate-intensity cycling exercise session. Subjects were classified as "responders" if their systolic or diastolic BP decreased following exercise, as measured by the average 12 post-exercise BP measurements over one hour. PEH value two times the TE in the negative direction will be considered “responders”. An Independent t-test was used to determine group differences. RESULTS: Six responders (2 males) and five non-responders (3 males) have completed this study. There were no group differences for BMI (24.7 ± 3.0 kg/m² vs. 29.6 ± 4.9 kg/m², p = .070), body fat (16.5 ± 10.4 % vs. 28.9 ± 12.3 %, p=.142), VO_2peak (37.8 ± 12.1 ml.kg^-1.min^-1 vs. 29.1 ± 2.1 ml.kg^-1.min^-1, p= .147), resting SBP (126 ± 117 mmHg vs. 123 ± 6 mmHg), or resting DBP (66 ± 9 mmHg vs. 71 ± 5 mmHg, p = .321). Non-responders did have a significantly larger waist circumference (79.1 ± 5.1 cm vs. 94.5 ± 12 cm, p = .018). CONCLUSION: This preliminary data suggests that waist circumference may be a key factor when determining the efficacy of exercise interventions to lower BP.

Recommended Citation

Wabakken, Kaitlyn; Takenaka, Cody; Gallardo, Branden; Brennan, Kayley; Maldonado, Maribell; Aguilera, Josh; Petersen, Makenna; Swift, Michael; and Zeigler, Zachary (2024) "Waist Circumference as a Potential Predictor of Post-Exercise Hypotension Response in College-Aged Subjects: A Pilot Study," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 118.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/118