Effect of different types of physical training on the function endothelial in hypertensive individuals

Abstract

IntroductionEndothelial dysfunction is a characteristic of systemic arterial hypertension and an early marker of atherosclerosis. Aerobic training (AT) is known to improve endothelial function, but little is known about the effects of resistance training (RT) and combined training (CT) on endothelial function. Objective: To evaluate the effect of AT, RT and CT on endothelial function in individuals with hypertension.MethodsThirty-seven individuals with hypertension (53.8 ± 10.6 years old, systolic blood pressure 134.3 ± 13.1 mmHg, and diastolic 84.3 ± 12.1 mmHg) were randomly allocated in 3 groups: AT (n = 13, 40 min of cycle ergometer at 65% maximum heart rate – HRmax), RT (n = 12, 6 exercises, 4 sets/12 repetitions at 60% maximum strength – 1RM) and CT (n = 12, RT + AT, as follows: 6 exercises, 2 sets/12 repetitions at 60% 1RM, and AT: 20 min in cycle ergometer at 65% HRmax). All of them performed two sessions/week, 40 min/session, during 8 weeks. Endothelial function was evaluated by the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). We conducted Generalized Estimating Equation, post-hoc Bonferroni, to assess differences among groups (p < 0.05).ResultsAll parameters (age, blood pressure, and FMD) were similar among groups at study entry. The different modalities of exercise determined similar benefits in %FMD, when compared pre- and post-training moments (within each modality): AT 9.96 ± 4.34 versus 13.13 ± 5.74% (Δ3.17%, p < 0.001); RT 9.84 ± 4.53 versus 14.35 ± 6.41% (Δ4.51%, p = 0.001) and CT 9.68 ± 4.95 versus 16.23 ± 8.44% (Δ6.55%, p = 0.001). When %FMD was compared among groups, no difference was observed (p = 0.248).ConclusionsThe different modalities were efficient and similar in improving endothelial function, through flow-mediated dilatation, in individuals with hypertension.