NONINVASIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE TO THE DOUBLE-LEG PRESS

Abstract

106 The goal of this study was to noninvasively characterize the blood pressure response to the double-leg press. High peak levels of blood pressure can be obtained during weight lifting, however, standard arm cuff and auscultatory methods can not accurately capture the peak dynamic responses. Thus, this study applied the Finpres™ (FP) continuous blood pressure monitor to measure beat-to-beat blood pressure values during the double-leg press. Seven healthy males, 25-35 yo, volunteered. Each 10 RM was determined on a double-leg press machine. Later, subjects performed three, 10 RM sets while blood pressure was continuously recorded with the FP blood pressure monitor. At rest, there was good agreement between FP and cuff (CF) systolic blood pressures (SBP). However, for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the CF DBP was higher. During the leg press, CF SBP was less than the peak SBP with FP, and greater than the minimum SBP with FP. DBP was higher for the CF. FP blood pressures indicated increasing peak pressures with each repetition and with each successive set. FP blood pressures peaked as the weight was lowered (eccentric) and decreased as the weight was lifted (concentric). This pattern is similar to that previously reported with direct intra-arterial blood pressure recordings. Thus, the FP offers a potential method to assess peak pressures and patterns associated with various weight lifting protocols.