The Effects of Stair Climbing on Arterial Stiffness, Blood Pressure and Leg Strength in Stage-1 Postmenopausal Women

Pusan National University41 enrolled

Overview

We used a parallel experimental design. Following an initial screening and familiarization session of study tests and procedures, eligible postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a stair climbing (SC) group or non-exercising control group. SC training session was progressive program, and was performed 4 days a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks during the same time of day (±1 hour) in the morning following an overnight fast and abstinence from caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and between 48 and 72 hours after the last exercise session.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hypertension Menopause

Interventions

Stair climbing (SC) training was 12 weeks of progressive SC program. Each training session consisted of a general warm-up (5 min: slow and fast skipping, stretching) followed by the SC training and was supervised by experienced personnel. The program began with two bouts of stair climbing four days a week in weeks 1 and 2, increasing by one climb a day every three weeks. By the last three weeks (10-12) of the study, all subjects were completing 5 climbs four days a week. During each climb participants ascended 12 flights (192 steps) divided into 3 sets of 4 flights, with a 2 min rest period between each set. There was a 5 min rest period between climbs that allowed the participants to reach the ground floor using an elevator. Subjects in the non-exercising control group did not participate in a supervised exercise program for the duration of the study.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 58 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Stage-1 hypertension * Postmenopausal Exclusion Criteria: * Pulmonary, renal, adrenal, pituitary, severe psychiatric, thyroid, or cardiovascular disease other than stage-1 systolic hypertension (140-159 mmHg) * Hormone replacement therapy during the 6 months prior the study * Smoker or having any medication changes in the previous year * Experience with psychological and physical therapy in the previous year * History of steady exercise or exercise training in the last year

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Arterial stiffness

Arterial stiff ness was measured by brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV, m/s) using volume plethysmographic device (VP-1000).

Time frame: 12 weeks

Blood pressure (BP)

BP (mmHg) was measured by volume plethysmographic device. Diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were measured.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Muscle strength

Muscle strength was measured by the eight repetition maximum (8RM) test using extension machine (Cyber 6000).

Time frame: 12 weeks

Body composition

Body composition was measured using eight-polar tactile-electrode impedance meter (InBody 720). Body weight (kg), fat mass (kg), and fat free mass (kg) were assessed.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Height

Height (m) was measured with a stadiometer

Time frame: 12 weeks

Heart rate (HR)

Heart rate was measured by ECG

Time frame: 12 weeks

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI was calculated as weight/height\^2 (kg/m\^2)

Time frame: 12 weeks