EFFECTS OF A PERSONALIZED PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAM IN PERIPHERAL AND CENTRAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN OLDER ADULTS – THE AGA@4LIFE INTERVENTION MODEL

Abstract

Objective: To test the effect of a tailored physical exercise intervention program on brachial and central blood pressure (bBP and cBP, respectively) in a Portuguese elderly cohort, included in the [email protected] project. Design and method: Thirty-three elderly participants (mean age:82 ± 9 years; 65–93 years) were divided into two groups (intervention group –IG – and control group – CG) according to their willingness to participate in the physical training program. The exercise program included aerobic and strength components, prescribed in a personalized approach according to the [email protected] model, and implemented under direct control of two experienced professionals. An oscillometric-based device was used to measure bBP and to derive cBP, both at baseline ant three-months after the intervention period. Results: The groups had similar clinical and demographic characteristics at baseline. No significant changes were observed in any of the considered endpoints in the CG. Conversely, a significant reduction was depicted in the IG, for both bBP and cBP. Peripheral systolic BP reduced from 150 ± 25 mmHg at baseline to 137 ± 23 mmHg after intervention (p = .008), and similar trend was depicted for diastolic BP (83 ± 17 mmHg at baseline, 78 ± 12 mmHg after intervention; p = .07). Central systolic BP reduced from 135 ± 21 mmHg to 125 ± 12 mmHg (p = .001) and central diastolic BP reduced from 84 ± 17 mmHg to 79 ± 11 (p = .06). A trend for a reduction in total vascular resistance was also observed in the IG (-.150; p = .06). Conclusions: Tailored physical exercise as foreseen in the [email protected] program is an effective non-pharmacological tool to reduce pBP and cBP in older adults. On behalf of the [email protected] Consortium. This work is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the partnership agreement Portugal 2020 - Regional Operation Program CENTRO2020, under the project CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-023369 [email protected]: AGA - Comprehensive Geriatric approach to promote an active and healthy aging - implementation of an integrated and multidisciplinary intervention program