Effect of Acute Submaximal Exercise on Plasma Renin and Aldosterone Levels in Sedentary People

Abstract

This study aimed to examine how acute submaximal exercise affected plasma renin and aldosterone levels in sedentary people. The study registered 7 healthy male sedentary subjects whose mean age was 23.00 ± 1.29 years and mean body weight was 74.00 ± 10.19 kg. Before starting the trial, the subjects were put on an Astrand Bicycle Ergometer test to identify Max VO₂ and above the threshold heart rates. The subjects with above the threshold heart rates were exercised on ergometric bicycles for 0.5 h at 70 % of Max VO₂. Blood samples were collected from the subjects before beginning the experiment. Second round of blood samples were collected immediately after the exercise ended. Third and fourth rounds of blood samples were collected after 2 and 24 h of exercise, respectively. Plasma renin and aldosterone levels were measured in the collected samples (using RIA method). Renin and aldosterone levels measured immediately after exercise were significantly higher than those before exercise, as well as those 2 and 24 h after exercise (p < 0.05). Renin and aldosterone levels 2 h after exercise did not differ from preexercise levels. The lowest renin and aldosterone levels were found in the measurements performed 24 h after exercise (p < 0.05). Results of the study demonstrate that acute submaximal exercise brings about significant changes in renin and aldosterone levels of sedentary people.