Background: Resistance training is suggested for adults in order to improve physical fitness and overall health. The aim of present study was to compare the responses of blood pressure and heart rate to various protocols and different movements of resistance exercise.

Materials and methods: A sample of 12 healthy males (age: 25.2 ± 2.2 years) performed three resistance exercise protocols including maximal strength (three sets of five repetition at 85% of 1-RM), hypertrophy (three sets of 10 repetition at 70% of 1-RM), and strength-endurance (three sets of 15 repetition at 55% of 1-RM) in three separate sessions. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and immediately after resistance exercise in all sessions, and after each movement in hypertrophy protocol. Data were analyzed by using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Although the systolic blood pressure increased significantly after the three resistance exercise trails (p=0.001), no significant differences were observed among the three protocols. However, heart rate increased significantly in response to the three resistance exercise trials; and also significant differences were observed among the three protocols (p<0.001). The post-hoc analyses showed that the increase in heart rate in strength protocol was less than two others. A comparison between blood pressure and heart rate after different movements in hypertrophy protocol showed that different movements with weights alter blood pressure and heart rate differently (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings of present study, it can be concluded that the strength exercise protocol with higher periods of rest between sets and movements increase heart rate less than the hypertrophy and endurance-strength protocols.