What is the normal blood pressure response during dynamic upright exercise?

During dynamic upright exercise, the normal blood pressure response involves a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) while diastolic blood pressure (DBP) typically shows a slight decrease or remains relatively stable. This occurs due to the heart's increased output to meet the elevated oxygen demand of working muscles.

As the intensity of exercise increases, the heart rate rises and stroke volume increases leading to a rise in cardiac output. SBP reflects this augmented cardiac output, demonstrating an upward trend during such activity. Conversely, DBP may decrease slightly because of the dilation of peripheral blood vessels, which is necessary to accommodate the increased blood flow to the active muscles.

Consequently, the change in DBP is usually minimal during aerobic activities, and the overall effect can result in a decreased or stable diastolic pressure. This dynamic response helps maintain effective perfusion of vital organs and working muscles during exercise. Therefore, the statement that describes this physiological response accurately is the progressive increase in SBP coupled with a slight decrease in DBP.