Short-duration dynamic power training with elastic bands combined with endurance training: a promising approach to hypertension management in older adults.

Previous studies have investigated the effects of different combined training programs involving traditional resistance training and aerobic exercise on hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness in older adults. However, little is known about the impact of power training combined with endurance training on these variables in hypertensive older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dynamic power training with elastic bands combined with endurance training on arterial stiffness and hemodynamic parameters in hypertensive older adults. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to the control group (CG; n = 13) and the intervention group (n = 13). IG participants performed power training with elastic bands combined with endurance training twice a week for 8 weeks. Pulse pressure, central pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity, SBP, DBP, central SBP, and central DBP were assessed before and after 8 weeks using the triple pulse wave velocity method. Pulse pressure, central pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity, SBP, DBP, central SBP, and central DBP significantly improved after 8 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that power training with elastic bands combined with endurance training reduces arterial stiffness and significantly improves hemodynamic parameters in older adults diagnosed with grade 1 hypertension. In addition, underscores the potential of this approach as a promising strategy for the management of hypertension in older adults.

Acute Response to Aerobic Exercise on Autonomic Cardiac Control of Patients in Phase III of a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The study sample consisted of eight patients (age: 58.6±7.7 years; body mass index: 26.7±3.5 kg.m2) who underwent a successful CABG (no complications during surgery and/or in the following weeks). To assess heart rate variability (HRV), participants remained in a supine position with a 30-degree head elevation for 20 minutes. Electrocardiographic signal (protocol with three derivations) was collected from 600 Hz sample rate to obtain beat-to-beat intervals (R-R interval). This assessment was performed before, after one hour and after 24 hours of the exercise session. All patients underwent a 35 minutes aerobic exercise session (AES) (low-moderate intensity) on the cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the time domain, with positive changes in root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) (ms) (parasympathetic component) (one [P=0.017] and 24 hours [P=0.007] post-session). In the frequency domain, we found a significant difference in high frequency (HF) (ms2) (parasympathetic component) (one hour [P=0.048] post-session). The low frequency (LF)/HF ratio (sympathetic and parasympathetic components with a predominance of the sympathetic component) reached statistical significance only 24 hours (P=0.018) post-session. Additionally, the largest effect size was observed only for the LF/HF ratio at one (d=-0.8) and 24 hours (d=-1.3) after one AES. CONCLUSION: The practice of (acute) aerobic exercise improved autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG.

Acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients in phase iii of a cardiovascular rehabilitation program following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The study sample consisted of eight patients (age: 58.6±7.7 years; body mass index: 26.7±3.5 kg.m2) who underwent a successful CABG (no complications during surgery and/or in the following weeks). To assess heart rate variability (HRV), participants remained in a supine position with a 30-degree head elevation for 20 minutes. Electrocardiographic signal (protocol with three derivations) was collected from 600 Hz sample rate to obtain beat-to-beat intervals (R-R interval). This assessment was performed before, after one hour and after 24 hours of the exercise session. All patients underwent a 35 minutes aerobic exercise session (AES) (low-moderate intensity) on the cycle ergometer. Results: Significant differences were found in the time domain, with positive changes in root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) (ms) (parasympathetic component) (one [P=0.017] and 24 hours [P=0.007] post-session). In the frequency domain, we found a significant difference in high frequency (HF) (ms2) (parasympathetic component) (one hour [P=0.048] post-session). The low frequency (LF)/HF ratio (sympathetic and parasympathetic components with a predominance of the sympathetic component) reached statistical significance only 24 hours (P=0.018) post-session. Additionally, the largest effect size was observed only for the LF/HF ratio at one (d=-0.8) and 24 hours (d=-1.3) after one AES. Conclusion: The practice of (acute) aerobic exercise improved autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG.

Novel Combined Training Approach Improves Sleep Quality but Does Not Change Body Composition in Healthy Elderly Women: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel combined training protocol on sleep quality and body composition of healthy elderly women. The study sample consisted of 8 sedentary elderly individuals with mean (±SD) of 67 (±8) years of age, 96.0 (±7.8) mg/dL fasting blood glucose, 94.4 (±36.1) mg/dL triglycerides, 179.1 (±22.4) mg/dL total cholesterol, 57.2 (±15.7) mg/dL high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 103.1 (±25.2) mg/dL low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 125.3 (±8.4) mmHg systolic blood pressure, and 72.6 (±10.1) mmHg diastolic blood pressure. The training protocol consisted of resistance training exercises (approximately 18-minute duration) combined with aerobic exercises (approximately 26-minute duration), performed interspersed in the same session, for 8 weeks (3 times a week), with a 24-hour interval rest between each session. Continuous variables were expressed as the mean (±standard deviation) and the paired sample t-test compares baseline with final measurement. The results showed a significant improvement (p = 0.01) in quality of sleep (4.9 ± 1.5 versus 3.8 ± 1.8 for total PSQI index) without body significant improvements in the fat-free mass (59.9 ± 4.0 versus 60.5 ± 4.4; p = 0.20) and fat mass (40.1 ± 4.0 versus 39.5 ± 4.4; p = 0.20) in healthy elderly women. In this sense, the novel combined training proposed may be an effective alternative or adjunct to present therapies aimed at improving the sleep quality in this population.