How does training influence resting and maximal blood pressure, and why?

• A. Resting BP increases due to improved arterial stiffness.
• B. Resting BP often lowers due to improved arterial compliance; maximal BP may be maintained or slightly higher but with improved efficiency and diffusion capacity.
• C. Maximal BP decreases with training.
• D. Resting BP is unchanged by training.

Answer: (B)

Training makes the cardiovascular system more efficient. At rest, the arteries become more compliant and the endothelium works better, so there’s less resistance to blood flow. That extra ease means the heart doesn’t have to push as hard, and resting blood pressure tends to fall or stay lower.

During maximal effort, the heart can pump more blood per beat (higher stroke volume) and the muscles develop more capillaries, improving the delivery and use of oxygen. This means blood can reach working muscles more efficiently and diffusion of oxygen into those muscles is enhanced, without forcing a big rise in blood pressure. So maximal blood pressure is usually maintained or only slightly higher, reflecting the greater cardiac output and improved muscle oxygen delivery.

In short, resting blood pressure often decreases with training due to better arterial compliance, while maximal blood pressure is preserved or modestly increased because of greater cardiac output and improved muscle diffusion capacity.