Sex differences in post-exercise hypotension after a recreational beach tennis session in adults with controlled hypertension: a randomized crossover trial

This study aimed to compare the effects of a single bout of beach tennis on post-exercise hypotension in men and women with hypertension. In this crossover trial, adults with hypertension were randomized into two experimental sessions: beach tennis and control sessions. For the beach tennis session, they warmed up with basic techniques for 5-min and played three matches lasting 12-min each, interspersed with 2-min recovery intervals. During the control session, the participants remained seated at rest without any exercise. Each protocol lasted for 45-min. Office blood pressure was assessed before and after the experimental sessions for 1-h. A generalized estimating equation analysis was used to compare the main effects of sex on blood pressure. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Fifty-eight participants (29 men and 29 women aged 35-60) participated in this study. Comparing beach tennis with control, systolic/diastolic blood pressure was lower after exercise in men (-17 mmHg, P < 0.001 / -8 mmHg, P < 0.001) and women (-10 mmHg, P = 0.04 / -4 mmHg, P = 0.016). The reduction in systolic blood pressure was greater in men than in women (-7 mmHg, P = 0.040). In adults with hypertension, a single recreational beach tennis session acutely reduced blood pressure in both sexes, with a more pronounced effect observed in men. Tailored beach tennis protocols may be necessary to elicit optimal benefits for women.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) under identifier number RBR-9nm4zs9, with the first registration on March 01, 2024 (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-9nm4zs9).