The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of high- versus low-intensity weight training (HIWT versus LIWT), with same lifted load in each session, on the post-exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressure response. Ten male bodybuilders with previous experience in weight training (WT) were evaluated during three non-consecutive days in exercises with the bench press, biceps curl, military press, and leg press. On the first day, one repetition maximum (1RM) was determined for each exercise, and then 85% and 42.5 % of 1RM respectively were selected as the loads in these exercises. On the second day, four sets x six repetitions of each exercise at 85% of 1RM (HIWT) were performed. On the last day, four sets x twelve repetitions of each exercise with 42.5% of 1RM (LIWT) were performed. The rest period between the sets and exercises was 2 minutes for all the sessions. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were determined before and up to 60 minutes post-exercise. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used, followed by the Scheffe's post hoc test (P<0.05), to compare SBP and DBP between and within the groups. The HIWT induced significant reductions in post-exercise SBP during all measures were seen, while after the LIWT programme significant reductions were shown only in the 20th and 30th min respectively. The HIWT programme led to significant decreases in DBP in 10th, 20th, and 30thmin respectively, but the LIWT programme elicited a significant reduction only in the 30thmin. It can be concluded that a WT programme can reduce SBP post-exercise, and it seems that the higher load is necessary for that effect to occur. Also, a WT programme with a higher load seems to have more effect on SBP than DBP.
