Acute hypotensive effect and autonomic response after a Brazilian jiu-jitsu training session in federated athletes

The acute hypotensive effect after a physical exercise session can be a valuable tool for reducing long-term cardiovascular risk.

To evaluate blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) pre/post a single Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) training session.

Eighteen athletes were selected, (age 31 ± 10; BMI 25.9 ± 2.5), from higher to lower rank and collected/analyzed pre/post HRV in the domain of time, of frequency and of non-linear indices. The statistic included the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Levene test, and ANOVA of two inputs with post hoc by Holm Sidak. In addition, the unpaired t-Student;s test and the Mann–Whitney test were applied. The level of significance was p < 0.05 and the analyses were performed using SigmaPlot for Windows version 11.0 software.

The HRV in the time and frequency domain showed significant differences in most of the analyzed variables. Furthermore, the SD1 indices, which reflect the total variability, as well as the SD2 which reflects the parasympathetic modulation, showed a difference in the less graduated (p < 0.020; p < 0.030) and the most highly graduated athletes (p < 0.001; p < 0.013), respectively. The systolic blood pressure had a significant reduction in both groups, composed of less graduated athletes (p < 0.013), as well as, in the more graduated ones (p < 0.028), suggesting a hypotensive effect, due to the possible action of the physiological vasodilator mechanisms.

The findings of the present study suggest that a single JJ training session can reduce pressure values in athletes of this modality, even with the HRV parameters showing greater sympathetic modulation compared to pre-intervention values.