Effects of Dancing Associated With Resistance Training on Functional Parameters and Quality of Life of Aging Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a dance intervention associated with resistance training or health education program on functional paramaters and quality of life of aging women. Thirty-six women were allocated to dance plus resistance training group (D + RT) or dance plus health education group (D + HE). Both interventions lasted 8 weeks and were performed twice a week. Dance sessions lasted 60 min. Resistance training was composed by two to three sets of 10-15 repetitions in five exercises. Improvements were found in 30-s chair stand (D + RT: 6 ± 1 repetitions; D + HE: 7 ± 1 repetitions), 30-s arm curl (D + RT: 7 ± 1 repetitions; D + HE: 7 ± 1 repetitions), 6-min walk (D + RT: 43 ± 12 m; D + HE: 55 ± 12 m), timed up and go (D + RT: -1.1 ± 0.3 s; D + HE: -1.4 ± 0.2 s), and psychological domain of quality of life (D + RT: 6 ± 2%; D + HE: 5 ± 3%), with no difference between groups. Both groups improve functional parameters and quality of life of aging women.

Effect of recreational beach tennis on ambulatory blood pressure and physical fitness in hypertensive individuals (BAH study): rationale and study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Different physical activities are widely recommended as non-pharmacological therapies to reduce blood pressure. However, the effectiveness of exercise programs is associated with its continuity and regularity, and the long-term adherence to traditional exercise interventions is often low. Recreational sports emerge as an alternative, being more captivating and able to retain individuals for longer periods. Besides, sport interventions have demonstrated improvements in physical fitness components that are associated with a lower incidence of hypertension. However, no studies have investigated the effects of recreational sports on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of beach tennis training on ambulatory blood pressure and physical fitness in individuals with hypertension. METHODS: This study will be a randomized, single-blinded, two-arm, parallel, and superiority trial. Forty-two participants aged 35-65 years with previous diagnosis of hypertension will be randomized to 12 weeks of beach tennis training group (two sessions per week lasting 45-60 min) or a non-exercising control group. Ambulatory (primary outcome) and office blood pressures, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength/power and quality of life will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period. DISCUSSION: Our conceptual hypothesis is that beach tennis training will reduce ambulatory blood pressure and improve fitness parameters in middle-aged individuals with hypertension. The results of this trial are expected to provide evidences of efficacy of recreational beach tennis practice on blood pressure management and to support sport recommendations for clinical scenario in higher risk populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03909321 . Registered on April 10, 2019.

Recreational beach tennis reduces 24-h blood pressure in adults with hypertension: a randomized crossover trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a beach tennis session on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in adults with hypertension. METHODS: In this randomized crossover trial, 24 participants (12 men and 12 women) randomly performed two experimental sessions: a beach tennis session and a non-exercise control session. The beach tennis session started with a standardized 5-min warm-up consisting of basic techniques, followed by three 12-min beach tennis matches with 2-min intervals between them. Heart rate was continuously recorded and rating of perceived exertion was assessed in the middle and at the end of each set during the beach tennis session. Enjoyment was also assessed after the beach tennis session. The control session was performed in seated rest. Both experimental sessions lasted 45 min. Ambulatory blood pressure was measured continuously for 24 h after sessions. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (24-h: 6 mmHg, P = 0.008; daytime: 6 mmHg, P = 0.031; nighttime: 6 mmHg, P = 0.042) and diastolic blood pressure (24-h: 3 mmHg, P = 0.021; daytime: 3 mmHg, P = 0.036; nighttime: 4 mmHg, P = 0.076) decreased after beach tennis when compared with control. The participants presented a reserve heart rate of 59-68%, and a rating of perceived exertion score of 3.4-4.7 using Borg's CR10 Scale. The enjoyment scores after beach tennis session were higher than 90%. CONCLUSION: A single session of recreational beach tennis reduces 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in adults with hypertension. Additionally, the participants can achieve a high physiological stress but perceive less effort during the practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Date: April 10, 2019; identifier number NCT03909308 (Clinicaltrials.gov).

Acute effects of body-weight resistance exercises on blood pressure and glycemia in middle-aged adults with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of single session of body-weight resistance exercises on blood pressure (BP) and glycemia in middle-aged adults with hypertension. METHODS: Twenty-three participants took part in this trial with crossover design and performed two experimental sessions in a random order: Body-weight resistance exercise session (BWR) and a control session without exercise. BWR was composed of four exercises: inverted row, squat, , and sit-ups. The participants performed 3 sets of 30 s, in which they were instructed to perform as much repetitions as possible and as fast as possible. After each session, BP and glycemia were measured continuously for 60 min. RESULTS: Systolic BP decreased after BWR when compared with control at post 45': -7 (95%CI:-11 to -2) mmHg, p = .003 and post60': -7 (95%CI:-12 to -3) mmHg, p = .003. Diastolic BP decreased after BWR when compared with control at post 15': -6 (95%CI:-9 to -3) mmHg, p < .001; post 30': -6 (95%CI:-9 to -2) mmHg, p = .001; post45': -5 (95%CI:-9 to -2) mmHg, p = .005; and post60': -6 (95%CI: -8 to -3) mmHg, p < .001. No significant difference was found in glycemia between BWR and control sessions. CONCLUSION: BWR acutely reduces BP in middle-aged adults with hypertension without effects on usual glycemia responses. This alternative form of resistance training could facilitate access, adherence, and reduce health costs related to exercise programs.

Postexercise Hypotension After Muscle Power Training Session in Older Adults With Hypertension.

The aim of the present study was to determine the acute effects of a muscle power training (PT) session on arterial blood pressure (BP) in older adults with hypertension. Thirteen participants (64 ± 4 years) with essential hypertension were randomly assigned to a PT session and control session without exercise. During PT, the participants performed three sets of eight repetitions at 50% of the one-repetition maximum tests. The concentric phase during each repetition was performed as fast as possible. The systolic BP (post-15 min: -1.7 ± 1.8 mmHg [p = .048; d = 0.22]; post-30 min: -3.6 ± 1.7 mmHg [p = .010; d = 0.48]; post-45 min: -3.3 ± 1.3 mmHg [p = .002; d = 0.42]; post-60 min: -3.9 ± 1.7 mmHg [p = .003; d = 0.49]) and diastolic BP (post-15 min: -1.5 ± 1.5 mmHg [p = .053; d = 0.20]; post-30 min: -2.2 ± 1.7 mmHg [p = .001; d = 0.29]; post-45 min: -2.0 ± 2.0 mmHg [p = .001; d = 0.27]; post-60 min: -2.0 ± 1.3 mmHg [p < .001; d = 0.26]) reductions were observed at all times after the PT session, compared with the preexercise and control session. PT is an effective strategy to acutely reduce BP in older patients with essential hypertension.

Oxygen consumption during concurrent training: influence of intra-session exercise sequence and aerobic exercise modality.

To compare the acute effects of different intra-session exercise sequences and aerobic exercise modalities during concurrent training sessions on oxygen consumption (VO2) and energy expenditure (EE) in young women. Eleven young women volunteered to participate in this study and underwent tests of their dynamic strength and a maximal incremental test on both the treadmill and cycle ergometer. Four concurrent training sessions were performed: resistance-running (RRu), resistance-cycling (RC), running-resistance (RuR) and cycling-resistance (CR). The aerobic exercise lasted 30 minutes and was performed at a heart rate equivalent to 95% of the second ventilatory threshold. The resistance exercise lasted approximately 21 minutes and consisted of 4 sets of 10 RM in each exercise. The VO2 was continuously evaluated through the portable gas analyser. No differences were found in the VO2 between the intra-session exercise sequence independently of aerobic modality (i.e., RRu vs. RuR, and RC vs. CR), and the sessions with the running aerobic exercise showed greater VO2 than sessions using cycling aerobic exercise in both exercise sequences (VO2aerobic (ml · kg-1 · min-1) - RRu: 27.5; RuR: 27.1; RC: 20.2; CR: 20.8). The present study showed that the intra-session exercise sequence during concurrent training does not influence VO2. However, the optimal combination of resistance and aerobic exercise should include running in order to increase VO2 and optimize EE.

Exercise characteristics and blood pressure reduction after combined aerobic and resistance training: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of combined aerobic and strength training in adults with hypertension and the influence of exercise training characteristics on blood pressure (BP) reduction. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials of interventions involving combined aerobic and strength training versus nonexercise control groups (Control) in adults with hypertension were included. The literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Scopus, and LILACS until December 2021. A random effects meta-analysis was performed using the mean difference in BP changes from baseline, comparing combined aerobic and strength training vs. Control as the effective measure. A multivariate meta-regression analysis was also performed to evaluate the relationship between exercise training characteristics and magnitudes of BP reductions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies with 41 exercise interventions (1942 participants) were analyzed. The pooled mean differences with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) showed significant reductions in SBP (-6.4 mmHg; 95% CI, -9.1 to -3.6) and DBP (-3.7 mmHg; 95% CI, -4.9 to -2.4). Meta-regression analysis revealed that greater exercise intensity and a greater number of sets in resistance training were associated with greater reductions in SBP. Greater exercise intensity was also associated with greater decreases in DBP. CONCLUSION: Combined aerobic and resistance training is an effective intervention in reducing both SBP and DBP in adults with hypertension, with greater hypotensive effects expected with higher intensity and more volume.

Rate of Responders for Post-Exercise Hypotension after Beach Tennis, Aerobic, Resistance and Combined Exercise Sessions in Adults with Hypertension.

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is typically reported as mean values, but a great inter-individual variation in blood pressure (BP) response after a single exercise session is expected, especially when comparing different modalities of exercise. The purpose was to evaluate the inter-individual BP responses after beach tennis, aerobic, resistance and combined exercise sessions in adults with hypertension. We conducted a post hoc analysis of pooled crossover randomized clinical trials from six previously published studies of our research group, and analyzed data from 154 participants with hypertension (≥35 years). BP was assessed using office BP, and the mean changes throughout the 60 min after recreational beach tennis (BT, n = 23), aerobic (AE, n = 18), combined (COMB, n = 18), and resistance (RES, n = 95) exercise sessions were compared to a non-exercising control session (C). To categorize the participants as responders and non-responders for PEH, the typical error (TE) was calculated as follows: TE = SDdifference/√2, where SDdifference is the standard deviation of the differences in BP measured before the interventions in the exercise and control sessions. Participants who presented PEH greater than TE were classified as responders. The TE was 7 and 6 mmHg for baseline systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. The rate of responders for systolic BP was as follows: BT: 87%; AE: 61%; COMB: 56%; and RES: 43%. For diastolic BP, the rate of responders was as follows: BT: 61%; AE: 28%; COMB: 44%; and RES: 40%. Results evidenced that there was a high inter-individual variation of BP after a single bout of different physical activity modalities in adults with hypertension, suggesting that exercise protocols with aerobic characteristics (i.e., BT, AE, and COMB sessions) presented PEH in most of its practitioners.

High-intensity interval training reduces blood pressure in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults and compared the efficacy of HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). METHODS: Search was conducted using the databases at PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, for randomized trials comparing the chronic effects (≥4 weeks) of HIIT versus MICT or control group (non-exercise) on BP in older adults (≥60 years) with or without hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 10 articles (n = 266 participants) were included in this meta-analysis. HIIT were associated with reductions in systolic BP (MD -7.36; 95%CI -11.80 to -2.92; P < 0.01; I2 = 24%) and diastolic BP (MD -5.48; 95%CI -8.71 to -2.25; P < 0.01; I2 = 40%) versus control group. No differences were found between HIIT and MICT in systolic BP (MD -2.09; 95%CI -9.76 to 5.58; P = 0.59; I2 = 0%) and diastolic BP (MD -1.00; 95%CI -6.01 to 4.01; P = 0.69; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: HIIT reduces BP in older adults. Additionally, HIIT and MICT provided comparable reductions on BP in this population.

Inter-individual responses of post-exercise hypotension in older adults with hypertension: An exploratory analysis of different exercise modalities.

Background: Various physical exercise modalities can acutely reduce blood pressure (BP). However, not all individuals respond similarly after an exercise session. Purpose: To measure inter-individual variations in 24-h BP after a single bout of various exercise modalities in older adults with hypertension. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from participants with hypertension (≥60 years) previously included in three randomized controlled trials on this topic. BP was assessed using ambulatory BP monitoring. We compared the mean changes in total 24-h, daytime, and nighttime BP after aerobic (AE, n = 19), combined (COMB, n = 19), resistance (RES, n = 23), and isometric handgrip (ISO, n = 18) exercise sessions to a non-exercising control session (C). The minimum detectable changes to classify the participant as a "Responder" for the corresponding exercise protocol were 4 and 2 mmHg for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Results: The prevalence of Responders for systolic BP was as follows: AE 24-h: 37%, daytime: 47% and nighttime: 37%; COMB 24-h: 26%, daytime: 21% and nighttime: 32%; RES 24-h: 26%, daytime: 26% and nighttime: 35%; and ISO 24-h: 22%, daytime: 22% and nighttime: 39%. For diastolic BP, the prevalence of Responders was as follows: AE 24-h: 53%, daytime: 53% and nighttime: 31%; COMB 24-h: 26%, daytime: 26% and nighttime: 31%; RES 24-h: 35%, daytime: 22% and nighttime: 52%; and ISO 24-h: 44%, daytime: 33% and nighttime: 33%. Conclusion: There was a high inter-individual variation of BP after a single bout of various exercises in older adults. Responders had higher BP values on the control day without exercise. Various exercise modalities might acutely reduce 24-h BP in older adults with hypertension.

Isometric handgrip exercise impacts only on very short-term blood pressure variability, but not on short-term blood pressure variability in hypertensive individuals: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The effect of a single isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) on blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) has not been addressed. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of IHG vs. sham on BPV and BP. Methods: Hypertensive patients using up to two BP-lowering medications were randomly assigned to IHG (4 × 2 min; 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, MVC, with 1 min rest between sets, unilateral) or sham (protocol; 0.3% of MVC). Systolic and diastolic BP were assessed beat-to-beat in the laboratory before, during, and post-intervention and also using 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). BPV was expressed as average real variability (ARV) and standard deviation (SD). Results: Laboratory BPV, ARV and SD variability, had marked increase during the intervention, but not in the sham group, decreasing in the post-intervention recovery period. The overall change in ARV from pre- to 15 min post-intervention were 0.27 ± 0.07 (IHG) vs. 0.05 ± 0.15 (sham group), with a statistically significant p-value for interaction. Similarly, mean systolic BP increased during the intervention (IHG 165.4 ± 4.5 vs. sham 152.4 ± 3.5 mmHg; p = 0.02) as did diastolic BP (104.0 ± 2.5 vs. 90.5 ± 1.7 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001) and decreased afterward. However, neither the short-term BPV nor BP assessed by ABPM reached statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion: A single session of IHG reduces very short-term variability but does not affect short-term variability. IHG promotes PEH in the laboratory, but does not sustain 24-h systolic and diastolic PEH beyond the recovery period.

Effects of a single beach tennis session on short-term blood pressure variability in individuals with hypertension: a randomized crossover trial.

Despite the importance of blood pressure (BP) variability to estimate cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension, not all exercise modalities can reduce short-term BP variability, and no studies have measured the acute effects of recreational sports on short-term BP variability. We investigated the acute effects of a single beach tennis (BT) session on short-term BP variability in individuals with hypertension. Twenty-two participants took part in this randomized clinical trial. They were randomly allocated to a BT session and a nonexercise control session (Con). BT and Con sessions lasted 45 min. Office BP and heart rate were measured throughout the experimental sessions to calculate rate-pressure products and estimate the cardiovascular demand of BT. To determine short-term BP variability after BT and Con sessions, average real variability (ARV) of systolic BP and diastolic BP was assessed over 24 h using ambulatory BP monitoring. Compared with Con, there were lower 24-h (Δ, -0.9 ± 0.4 mmHg; P = 0.049) and daytime (Δ, -1.4 ± 0.5 mmHg; P = 0.004) ARV of diastolic BP after BT. There were no significant differences in ARV of systolic BP between Con and BT. There was a higher rate-pressure product found during BT (P < 0.001). However, after the experimental sessions, there was no significant difference between BT and Con for the rate-pressure product under ambulatory conditions. In conclusion, a single BT session reduced daytime and 24-h diastolic BP variability in adults with hypertension. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03909308.

Outcomes in mice with abdominal angiostrongyliasis treated with enoxaparin.

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA) is caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Parasite-associated thrombosis of mesenteric vessels may lead to intestinal infarction, which might be prevented with anti-thrombotic agents. This study assessed the effect of enoxaparin on survival and pathological findings in Swiss mice with AA. In this experiment, 24 mice were infected with A. costaricensis (10 L3 per animal) followed by treatment with subcutaneous enoxaparin (40 mg/kg/day) or water (sham), starting from 15 days post-infection (dpi) and continued until animal death. Animals were monitored until death or sacrifice at the 50th dpi. Ten mice (42%) were dead after 36 ± 8 dpi. Of these, five (50%) were treated with enoxaparin. Animals treated with enoxaparin and sham did not differ in terms of weight loss (median, 1.3 vs. 4.2 g; P = 0.303) and macroscopical findings. Microscopically, no difference was found in regard to vascular granuloma (median grade, 2 vs. 3; P = 0.293) and presence of either vasculitis (75% vs. 100%; P = 0.217), mesenteric thrombosis (33% vs. 50%; P = 0.680), or bowel necrosis (25% vs. 50%; P = 0.400). Mice dead before the 50th dpi showed more pneumonia (90% vs. 21%; P = 0.002), bowel infarction (40% vs. 0%; P = 0.02), and purulent peritonitis (60% vs. 7%; P = 0.008) compared to survivors. Prophylactic enoxaparin in mice did not prevent tissue damage and mortality related with AA. The lower prevalence of mesenteric thrombosis and bowel infarction regardless of treatment were notorious. Frequent septic complications suggest the need of studies addressing the effect of antibiotics in AA.

Hemodynamic responses of resistance exercise performed with repetitions to failure and not to failure in adults with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the hemodynamic responses of resistance exercise (RE) performed with repetitions to failure vs. not to failure in individuals with hypertension. METHODS: Twenty participants were randomly allocated to perform three experimental sessions: a RE session performed with repetitions to failure (RF); a RE session performed with repetitions not to failure (NRF); and a non-exercise control session (Con). RE sessions were composed of four sets of 10 repetitions in four exercises involving large muscle groups. To ensure that the sets could be performed with RF or NRF, intensities corresponding to 75% and 50% of one-repetition maximum test were adopted in RF and NRF sessions, respectively. The Con was performed in seated rest. Blood pressure and rate-pressure product were measured before, during and after the experimental sessions for 1 h. RESULTS: SBP and DBP decreased after NRF compared with Con (systolic post 1 h: -7.7 ± 1.1 mmHg, P < 0.001; diastolic post 1 h: -4.2 ± 0.7 mmHg, P = 0.001), and after RF compared with Con (systolic post 1 h: -8.2 ± 1.3 mmHg, P < 0.001; diastolic post 1 h: -7.4 ± 1.4 mmHg, P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in blood pressure between RF and NRF sessions after 1 h. Rate-pressure product was lower during NRF compared with RF (P = 0.001), suggesting a higher cardiovascular demand during the RF session. CONCLUSION: The RF and NRF sessions are equally effective to promote post-exercise hypotension. In addition, NRF session can reduce cardiac demand during the exercise and should be recommended in adults with hypertension.

Effects of recreational sports and combined training on blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Combined resistance and aerobic training (CT) is the most suitable form of exercise training to simultaneously improve strength and cardiometabolic profile in middle-aged and older adults. Recreational sports (RS) emerge as an alternative to CT to improve these outcomes. We performed a meta-analysis on the effects of RS and CT on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in middle-aged and older adults and to compare these exercise interventions to a non-exercising control group (CON). METHODS: Search was conducted using the databases at PubMed, COCHRANE and SciELO between July and August 2020. Studies that included men and women aged ≥45 years, healthy or with values for SBP ≥130 mmHg or DBP ≥80 mmHg or with type 2 diabetes and performed RS or CT versus CON. RESULTS: From 6017 records, 27 studies were included (9 RS and 18 CT). The analysis included 1411 participants with 55 ± 8 years. RS and CT were associated with reductions in SBP (RS: -7.2 mmHg, P = 0.03; CT: -3.6 mmHg, P < 0.001) and DBP (RS: -3.6 mmHg, P = 0.02; CT: -3.1 mmHg, P < 0.001) versus CON. Only CT was associated with a reduction in HbA1c versus CON (-0.47%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RS and CT are effective exercise interventions to improve BP in middle-aged and older adults. CT seems to be an excellent strategy to reduce HbA1c, and future studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of RS to improve HbA1c.

Sex Differences in Post-exercise Hypotension, Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability, and Endothelial Function After a Power Training Session in Older Adults.

Background: The efficacy of power training (PT) to acutely reduce blood pressure (BP) in participants with hypertension is controversial, and no studies have assessed the influence of sex on post-exercise hypotension and its mechanisms in older adults. Purpose: The aims of this secondary, exploratory analysis were to compare the effects of a single bout of PT on post-exercise hypotension, BP variability, and endothelial function between older men and women with hypertension. Methods: Twenty-four participants with hypertension (12 men and 12 women aged to >60 years old) took part in this crossover study and randomly performed two experimental sessions: power exercise training (PT) and non-exercising control session (Con). The PT protocol was composed of 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions of five exercises performed in the following order: leg press, bench press, knee extension, upright row, and knee flexion, using an intensity corresponding to 50% of one repetition maximal test (1RM) and 2-min intervals between sets and exercises. The concentric phase of exercises during each repetition was performed "as fast as possible," while the eccentric phase lasted 1 to 2 s. During Con, the participants remained at seated rest on the same exercise machines, but without any exercise. Each protocol lasted 40 min. Office BP, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), 24-h ambulatory BP, and the average real variability (ARV) of systolic and diastolic BP were assessed before and after experimental sessions. Results: Comparing PT with Con, a reduced office BP after exercise was found in men (systolic BP-average post 1 h: -14 mmHg, p < 0.001; diastolic BP-average post 1 h: -8 mmHg, p < 0.001) and only a reduced systolic BP in women (average post 1 h: -7 mmHg, p = 0.04). Comparing men and women, a reduced systolic BP (post 60': -15 mmHg, p = 0.048; average post 1 h: -7 mmHg, p = 0.046) and diastolic BP (post 60': -9 mmHg, p = 0.049) after the first hour were found in men. In relation to 24-h ambulatory BP, ARV, and FMD, no statistically significant differences were found between men and women. Conclusion: In older adults with hypertension, the office BP response after the experimental sessions was different in men and women, showing that the PT protocol is more effective to acutely reduce BP in men. Additionally, the mechanisms behind this reduction remain unclear. This finding suggests that sex cannot be combined to analyze post-exercise hypotension. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03615625.

Effects of combined training performed two or four times per week on 24-h blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin and other health-related outcomes in aging individuals with hypertension: Rationale and study protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute blood pressure lowering after exercise seems to predict the extent of blood pressure reduction after chronic exercise training interventions. Based on that, the same weekly amount of exercise performed more frequently could be more beneficial for controlling blood pressure. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a combined training program (resistance plus aerobic exercise) performed four or two times per week on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and other health-related outcomes in middle-aged and older individuals with hypertension. METHODS: This study will be a randomized, parallel group, two-arm, superiority trial. Ninety-eight participants aged 50-80 years with a previous physician diagnosis of hypertension will be randomized to perform two or four sessions per week of combined training using the same total weekly overload. Primary outcomes will be 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin; secondary outcomes will be endothelial function, physical fitness and quality of life. The outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks period. RESULTS: Our conceptual hypothesis is that a combined exercise program performed four or two times per week with equalized weekly volume/overload will improve all outcomes in comparison to the baseline values, and that reductions in 24-h blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin will be more pronounced in the group that trained four times a week than twice. The results of this trial are expected to provide evidences to support that higher weekly frequency of combined training should be emphasized in aging adults with hypertension.

Effects of high-intensity interval training combined with traditional strength or power training on functionality and physical fitness in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial.

Concurrent training (CT) is an efficient strategy to improve neuromuscular function and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, which are factors of pivotal importance for the maintenance of functional capacity with aging. However, there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of power training (PT) as an alternative to traditional strength training (TST) during CT. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 16 weeks (twice weekly) TST combined with high intensity interval training (TST + HIIT) vs. PT combined with HIIT (PT + HIIT) on functional performance, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in older men. Thirty five older men (65.8 ± 3.9 years) were randomly allocated into two training groups: TST + HIIT (n = 18), and PT + HIIT (n = 17). TST + HIIT performed resistance training at intensities ranging from 65% to 80% 1RM at slow controlled speed (≅ 2 s for each concentric phase), whereas PT + HIIT trained at intensities ranging from 40% to 60% of 1RM at maximal intentional speed. Both groups performed HIIT at intensities ranging from 75 to 90% of VO2peak. Participants performed functional tests (sit-to-stand, timed-up-and-go, stair climbing); cardiopulmonary exercise testing (maximal cycling power output: Wmax, peak oxygen uptake: VO2peak, cycling economy), as well as body composition assessment (DXA) before, post 8 and post 16 weeks of training. The groups improved similarly (P < 0.05) with training in all functional capacity outcomes, Wmax, cycling economy, VO2peak and body composition (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that HIIT based CT programs involving TST vs. PT are equally effective in improving functionality, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in healthy older men.

Effects of a single bout of power exercise training on ambulatory blood pressure in older adults with hypertension: A randomized controlled crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a single bout of power exercise training (PT) on office and ambulatory blood pressure (BP). METHODS: Twenty-four older adults with essential hypertension participated in two experimental sessions in a randomized order: the PT composed of 3 sets of 8-10 repetitions in 5 power training exercises and the non-exercise control at seated rest (Con). Both experimental sessions lasted 40 min. Office BP was measured continuously for 1 h in the laboratory and 24 h BP through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: Compared with Con, office systolic/diastolic BP decreased after PT (Systolic BP: 10 mmHg, p < 0.001; Diastolic BP: 4 mmHg, p = 0.015). A trend toward decrease (p = 0.06) was found in diastolic ambulatory BP during daytime (2 mmHg; p = 0.062) and nighttime (3 mmHg; p = 0.063) after PT. No differences were found between PT and Con sessions for systolic and mean ambulatory BP. CONCLUSION: A single bout of PT decreases office BP but this hypotensive effect is not sustained under ambulatory conditions in older patients with essential hypertension.

Nonfat milk attenuates acute hyperglycemia in individuals with android obesity: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Elevated android body fat increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Postprandial hyperglycemia contributes to the proatherogenic metabolic state evident in android adiposity. Due to the insulinotropic effect of milk-derived proteins, postprandial hyperglycemia has been shown to be reduced with the addition of dairy products. The purpose of this study was to determine whether one serving of nonfat milk added to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) could attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia in individuals with elevated android adiposity and whether these improvements would be associated with metabolic and/or peripheral hemodynamic effects. METHODS: In this placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover experimental study, 29 overweight/obese adults (26 ± 1 year) consumed an OGTT beverage (75 g glucose) combined with either nonfat milk (227 g) or a placebo control (12 g lactose + 8 g protein + 207 g water) that was matched for both carbohydrate and protein quantities. RESULTS: In the whole sample, blood glucose and insulin concentrations increased over time in both trials with no significant differences between trials. Relative increases in peak blood glucose response were significantly related to android body fat (p < 0.05). The subjects in the highest tertiles of android body fat displayed attenuated hyperglycemic responses as well as improvements in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after milk intake. CONCLUSIONS: A single serving of nonfat milk may attenuate acute hyperglycemia in individuals with elevated android body fat offering a simple and convenient option for managing elevations in blood glucose.