RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a recreational general physical activity program with moderate intensity and short duration on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors (BMI, cholesterol, Rest Heart Rate, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides) in hypertensive patients older than 50years. DESIGN: Non-randomised pre-post design, quasi-experimental study. LOCATION: Íllora, Granada, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 subjects aged 50-75years taking part in the Health Hypertensive Program in the Medical Centre were selected. INTERVENTION: A recreational general physical activity program, mainly aerobic capacity, of 4weeks duration, 3days/week, and an intensity of 45-55% HR Reserve. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: SBP, DBP, HR, BMI, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG, and Glucose. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant decreases (P<.05) were observed in BMI (-0.51%; 95%CI: 30.26 to 31.93units), HR (-5.57beats/min; 95%CI: 68.76 to 71.73beats/min), SBP (-14.82mmHg; 95%CI: 131.57 to 137.52mmHg), DBP (-5.33mmHg; 95%CI: 78.94 to 83.68mmHg), Glucose (-7.63mg/dL; 95%CI: 125.06 to 153.73mg/dL) and REGICOR risk (-20.46%; 95%CI: 5.45 to 6.90%). Statistically significant increases were observed in HDL (+2.82mg/dl; 95%CI: 46.78 to 52.11mmHg), and TG (+8.27mg/dl; 95%CI: 133.89 to 152.60mg/dL). Men had a wider variation in HR and DBP, and women in SBP (P<.05). Subjects with baseline SBP≥160mmHg experienced greater declines in HR, SBP, DBP, Glucose and TG (-10.67beats/min, -31mmHg, -8.27mmHg, -10.86mg/dL, and 34.66mg/dL, respectively) than those with an initial SBP<160mmHg, where there was an increase in HDL and a decrease in LDL. After this program, improvements in BP and other cardiovascular risk factors were obtained in hypertensive subjects over 50years.