NCT04308057 - Exploring the Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Cardiovascular Function in Older Adults | Crick

Overview

Cardiovascular ageing is implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aquatic exercise is being considered as a co-adjuvant form of rehabilitation, but there is limited evidence for its cardiovascular risk-reduction properties for older people. Our study aims to address this by exploring the cardiovascular effects of long-term aquatic exercise in older adults in comparison to those who are either inactive or engaged in land-based/mixed training by measurement of micro- and macro-circulation.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Cardiovascular Diseases

Interventions

Aquatic exercisePROCEDURE

Participants belonging to Group D (sedentary group) will be randomised 1-to-1 between remaining sedentary (n=20) and following a self-managed, 8-week, aquatic-based exercise programme (n=20). The latter group will be offered an 8-week access to pool facilities. For Group D participants, all baseline assessments will be repeated at 8 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 55 YearsMax age: 75 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * being over 55 years of age and normotensive (e.g., \<140/90 mm Hg). Exclusion Criteria: * any overt chronic disease which would affect microvascular functioning, * anaemia (irrespective of whether an iron supplementation course is followed or not) * a recent (3 months' ago) major surgery * None of the participants were undertaking high intensity interval training of any form.

Locations (1)

Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Nitric oxide-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function.

We will use FMD as a measure of endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide (NO)-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. Baseline scanning to assess resting vessel diameter will be recorded over 3 minutes, following a 10-minute resting period. A rapid inflation-deflation pneumatic cuff placed immediately distal to the elbow joint will be used to as an FMD stimulus.

Time frame: Baseline.

Nitric oxide-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function.

We will use FMD as a measure of endothelium-dependent, nitric oxide (NO)-mediated, macro (arterial)- circulatory function. Baseline scanning to assess resting vessel diameter will be recorded over 3 minutes, following a 10-minute resting period. A rapid inflation-deflation pneumatic cuff placed immediately distal to the elbow joint will be used to as an FMD stimulus.

Time frame: 8 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes

Microcirculatory function

Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressure was recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA). Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.

Time frame: Baseline.

Microcirculatory function

Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressure was recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA). Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.