EFFECTS OF A SINGLE-SESSION OF ACTIVE VIDEO GAME ON POST-EXERCISE HYPOTENSION IN NORMOTENSIVE YOUNG INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Introduction: There have been reports on the use of the active video game (AVG) and the physiological demands imposed by its practice, in addition to its possible application in the therapeutic field. However, its effect on blood pressure (BP) remains unclear. Objective: Thus, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the AVG to promote post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in normotensive individuals. Material and Methods: Eight volunteers (24.5±2.3 years, 22.4±2.0 kg/m²) underwent three experimental sessions lasting 60 minutes: 1) AVG; 2) sedentary video game (SVG); and 3) aerobic treadmill exercise (AE). Heart rate (HR) was measured before and during the sessions, every 10 minutes. BP measurements were performed before and after the sessions, every 10 minutes for a 60-minute recovery period. The intensity reached in the AVG session was 21.9% of maximum heart rate (MHR), which is considered to be a low intensity when compared to the AE (73.2% of MHR). The PEH values obtained in the AVG session were similar to those of the AE session for systolic BP, in which the greatest reduction was found for AVG at 60 min (-10.5 ± 5.0 mmHg) and for AE at 40 min (-15.7 ± 3.5 mmHg) (p <0.05). These findings differed from those obtained in the SVG session, whose highest systolic BP values were found to be 6.8 ± 3.2 mmHg (p <0.05). The diastolic PEH values (60 minutes post-exercise) did not differ significantly between the three sessions; however, there were higher PEH values in the AVG and AE sessions. Conclusion: An AVG session can acutely reduce BP as much as a treadmill exercise session. DESCRIPTORS Hypertension. Post-Exercise Hypotension. Video Games.