Effects of training on blood pressure

Blood flowing through the vessels exerts pressure on the walls of these vessels. This pressure is called blood pressure and is measured by the number of millimeters that the blood causes a column of mercury to rise. We need two measurements of pressure to identify the force of the blood flow: the pressure when the heart beats and the pressure when it is resting between beats. The first is called systolic and second diastolic. Typical resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures are 120 and 80 mm Hg respectively.

While exercising, the body’s need for blood and oxygen increases significantly. To meet the growing demands of the body, the heart must work harder. As we already know the heart rate increases during exercise and as the heart works harder, it also sends blood faster through the arteries. As the rate of blood flow inside the arteries increases, the internal pressure also increases. This increased rate of blood flow could cause rupturing if the vessels were not elastic. Systolic blood pressure can rise to values in excess of 200 mm Hg when work is strenuous, but this increase however, is small relative to the 500% to 700% increase in blood flow that occurs during maximum effort. Diastolic pressure does not increase as much because the amount of blood in the vessels subsides somewhat between beats.

As the heart becomes more efficient through endurance training, it can send more blood to the arteries with each beat. This means that it does not to work as fast as it worked before the person started to exercise. Since it is pumping slower, it is also placing less stress and pressure on the arteries. It has been shown that endurance training reduces both systolic and diastolic pressure by 6 to 10 mm Hg at rest and by an equal amount during submaximal exercise. Another possible explanation of this reduction in pressure is because the elasticity of blood vessels increases through constant expansion and constriction that occurs in training.

Keep in mind that medical professionals have stated that the benefits of exercise on the blood pressure last only as long as you continue to exercise. Before initiating an type of regular exercise routine, consult your doctor to ensure your utmost health and safety.

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