Sex differences in post-exercise hypotension after a beach tennis session in middle-aged adults with hypertension: a randomized crossover clinical trial

INTERVENTION: In this randomized crossover study, 48 participants (24 men and 24 women) will randomly perform two experimental sessions: a beach tennis session and a no‐exercise control session. The beach tennis session will consist of a standardized 5‐minute warm‐up consisting of basic techniques, followed by three 12‐minute beach tennis matches with 2‐minute breaks in between. Heart rate will be continuously recorded and perceived exertion will be assessed in the middle and at the end of each series during the beach tennis session. Pleasure will also be evaluated after the beach tennis session. The control session will be held at rest in a sitting position. Both trial sessions will be 45 minutes long. Blood pressure will be measured continuously for 1 hour after the sessions. CONDITION: Essential (primary) hypertension PRIMARY OUTCOME: It is expected to find an improvement in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after the beach tennis session, and that this response would be different between the sexes after the sessions. SECONDARY OUTCOME: No secondary outcomes are expected INCLUSION CRITERIA: Men and women; Aged 35 to 65 years; medically diagnosed with hypertension; using up to two antihypertensive medications; willing to participate and sign the informed consent forms; office blood pressure between 130‐179 and 80‐110 mmHg