The Valsalva Maneuver: Blood Pressure, Blackouts and Heavy Lifting — with Blake Perry

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/evidencestrong/posts/valsalva-blood-164415042 🏋️‍♀️

The fact is that we have very little research about the Valsalva maneuver and resistance training, cardiac health, or health in general. But our understanding of the maneuver is growing. Dr. Blake Perry discussed the nuances of what happens during the Valsalva maneuver and how it relates to cardiac risks, the possibility of developing weightlifter's blackout, and its influence on overall health.

Blake Perry is an integrative human physiologist at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. His research is focused on blood flow to the brain, particularly during large changes in blood pressure induced by resistance exercise and the Valsalva maneuver (modified breath-hold). These research interests stem from a personal interest in both powerlifting and cardiovascular physiology. Blake’s current research is exploring the effects of resistance exercise on arterial stiffness, and the potentially confounding role of the Valsalva maneuver.

Enjoy!

Original research paper:

Perry BG, Perry MJ, Dixon R, Bush M, Ryan-Stewart H. Resistance exercise with combined Valsalva maneuver acutely increases carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in healthy untrained individuals. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2026 May 29:1-3.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-026-06167-z

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