Final answer:
The correct answer is C. post-exercise hypotension, which is the reduction in blood pressure following steady-state aerobic exercise due to vasodilation and cardiovascular adjustments post-exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decrease in blood pressure noted in the minutes following steady-state aerobic exercise is known as post-exercise hypotension. This phenomenon occurs due to the body's reaction to the increased demand on the cardiovascular system during exercise. As the body returns to its resting state, there is a continued effect of vasodilation in the blood vessels that were dilated to increase blood flow during exercise.
Ordinarily, blood pressure adjusts as necessary to maintain proper flow to all tissues, including the brain. An abrupt change in position can cause a temporary form of low blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension, which is typically experienced as dizziness or light-headedness upon standing too quickly. However, post-exercise hypotension is related to the body's adjustment post-exercise, rather than to the immediate effects of positional changes on blood flow.