Blood Pressure Responses To Resistance Training In 60-69 Year Old Men And Women

Abstract

PURPOSE Resistance exercise training (RET) has been shown to be an acceptable form of exercise for those with cardiovascular disease although high intensity RET may pose a risk for those with elevated blood pressure (BP). We sought to determine the affect of 12 weeks of high intensity RET on BP in 60–69 year old men and women with borderline (BTN, 120–140 mmHg, N = 24) and overt (HTN, 140–160 mmHg, N = 11) hypertension in comparison to normotensives (NTN, 100–120 mmHg, N = 10). METHODS Controlled EKG and supine, sitting and standing BP measures were collected at the beginning and end of RET as well as daily sitting pre and post exercise BP. RESULTS There was a significant main effect for BP category (p < 0.05) where higher BP was associated with a greater BP lowering (HTN = −13, BTN = −9, NTN = +1 mmHG supine systolic: HTN = −8, BTN = −6, NTN = −2 mmHG supine diastolic). Sitting and standing BP measures showed similar trends. Immediate post-exercise diastolic BPs were not significantly changed in any group while systolic BPs were significantly elevated 4±6 mmHg that was similar in all groups. No EKG changes were identified. Two subjects were excluded for persistent pre-exercise blood pressure higher than 160, a safety exclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS The current results suggest that high intensity RET may be safe and effective to reduce BP in healthy older adults with hypertension