Aging is associated with progressive decreases in arterial health and function as well as overall fitness. It is crucial to prevent or reduce the negative effects of aging on the vasculature and fitness components by implementing appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training. We examined the effects of a swimming (SWM) regimen on arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV), blood pressure (BP), wave reflection (AIx), muscle strength and aerobic capacity in elderly women with stage 2 hypertension.
Using a parallel experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to either SWM (n=52) or non-exercising control group (n=48) for 20 weeks. Participant in the SWM group trained 3-4 days/week, progressing in duration from 25 to 45 min. Participants' carotid to radial PWV (crPWV), systolic and diastolic BP, AIx, strength and VO2max were measured at baseline and after 20 weeks of their assigned intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
100
This group completed 20-weeks of swimming
Arterial Stiffness
via Pulse Wave Velocity
Time frame: 20-weeks
Systolic Blood Pressure
systolic blood pressure
Time frame: 20-weeks
Pressure Wave Reflection
via Augmentation Index
Time frame: 20-weeks
Muscular Strength
via Hand Grip Dynamometer
Time frame: 20-weeks
Cardiorespiratory Endurance (Volume of Maximal Oxygen Consumption)
via Cornell Modified Bruce treadmill volume of oxygen consumption maximum (VO2max) test
Time frame: 20-weeks
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: 20 weeks
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