EFFECTS OF DANCING ON LEFT VENTRICULAR MASS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH HYPERTENSION: PP.23.437

Abstract

Objective: Exercise for elderly subjects must match their physical ability. Our goal is to evaluate the effects of dancing on blood pressure (BP), left ventricular mass and the quality of life in elderly people. Design and Method: 5 ageing couples with similar lifestyle and age were included (M 5, average age 70 + 4, F 5 average age 67 + 2). They all took dancing lessons on a one-day-per-week basis including one evening ball activity per week too. All subjects had a history of mild- moderate hypertension in treatment. The design of the study included before and after the follow-up: 1)Clinic measurement of BP; 2) Echocardiogram; 3) Quality of life measurement through SF-12 questionnaire. Left ventricular hypertrophy was assessed through the following criteria: MVSI >125/110 gr/m2; MVS/h >51/47 gr/h 2.7. The SF-12 questionnaire helped us study the two short indexes: the PCS Physical Component Summary for the physical state and the MCS Mental Component Summary for the mental state. Results: Before and after follow-up we detected: 1) Blood pressure SBP 157 + 22 vs 137 + 15 mmHg (p < 0.01); DBP 95 + 14 vs 86 + 15 mmHg (p < 0.01); 2) MVSI 132/110 gr/m2 vs MVSI 130/110 gr/m2, MVS/h 58/47 gr/h 2.7 vs MVS/h > 56/47 gr/h 2.7 (p < 0.01); 3) SF-12 score 32 vs 27 (p < 0.01). After the follow-up,in comparison to control group, we detected a reduction of the BP, a stabilization of the left ventricular mass and a clear improvement in both mental and physical state. Conclusions: A more active lifestyle in elderly people by taking dancing lessons produced a reduction of BP values. We detected a stabilization of left ventricular mass and an improvement in the quality of life related to health unrelated to the reduction of BP due to physical exercise.