Cardiovascular adaptations during dynamic resistance exercise suffer for mechanical interference with blood flow through the active muscles. We addressed adaptations at the end of exercise. Eight young males exercised on a leg press machine: 1RM load was determined (Brzycki formula); two sets (3 series, 12 repetitions, 10 min rest between series) were performed with 70% and 80% 1RM load. We recorded respiratory and cardiovascular data. Results of the three series for each load were pooled. We report 10 s averages at control, at end exercise, 20 s and 60 s during recovery. Blood pressure rose, but declined immediately, almost to control values at 60 s. Higher pressure values were reached in the 80% 1RM set. Heart rate rose during the efforts and declined during recovery but was still higher than control at 60 s. Cardiac output did not change during exercise, but rebounded by 40% during recovery; the increase was due to a rise in stroke volume and was allowed by reductions in vascular resistance. Oxygen consumption increased as for a mild aerobic exercise, but further rose by 21% during recovery; at 60 s it was still about double than control. We conclude that mechanical interference of isometric muscle contractions leads to delayed cardiovascular and metabolic responses, which compensate for an oxygen deficit accumulated during the exercise. The large increase in Cardiac output at the end of exercise accounts for muscle hyperemia, which allows oxygen overflow to muscles.