European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Cardiovascular health is a fundamental determinant of overall well-being, and understanding how it varies between genders is of paramount importance in the field of exercise physiology and public health.This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to investigate gender differences in cardiovascular responses to exercise, focusing on resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate during exercise, blood pressure responses, recovery time, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Methods: Male and female participants underwent a standardized exercise protocol, during which RHR and heart rate during exercise were monitored. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) at rest and during exercise were recorded. Recovery time for heart rate to return to baseline was measured post-exercise. VO2max was assessed using established methods. Results: The study included male (n=100) and female (n=100) participants. While RHR showed a modest gender difference (-4.7 bpm, p=0.12), heart rate during exercise revealed a significant gap between genders (10.3 bpm, p<0.05). Males exhibited higher SBP at rest (+1.6 mm Hg, p<0.05) and a more pronounced increase during exercise (+6.4 mm Hg, p<0.05). DBP response during exercise did not differ significantly (p=0.18). Recovery time for males was faster by 5.4 minutes (p<0.05). Importantly, males demonstrated a significantly higher VO2max compared to females (+7.8 ml/kg/min, p<0.01). Conclusion: Gender differences in cardiovascular responses to exercise were evident in this study. While RHR showed no statistical disparity, males exhibited a greater increase in heart rate during exercise, higher SBP at rest, faster recovery time, and superior aerobic capacity (VO2max). These findings underscore the importance of tailoring exercise interventions and cardiovascular assessments to gender-specific characteristics.