Suriname research reveals blood pressure responses to exercise

New scientific research conducted in Suriname has provided insights into how adults of African and South-Asian descent respond to physical activity regarding blood pressure reduction, a phenomenon known as post-exercise hypotension. The studies, part of doctoral research by Marina Bersaoui from the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, examined physically inactive adults with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension.

The research compared the effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as treadmill walking or running, against isometric handgrip exercises. Results indicated that aerobic training was more effective, with 36 percent of participants experiencing a clinically relevant systolic blood pressure drop of five mmHg or more. In contrast, only 28 percent of participants responded to the isometric exercises.

Notably, researchers found no clear demographic or clinical differences between those who responded to the exercise and non-responders, suggesting that variations in blood pressure response may be linked to underlying physiological processes rather than external characteristics. These findings suggest that targeted aerobic exercise can have a measurable effect on blood pressure after even a single session.